An instance of gaining access to a property under false pretences, with the intention of committing theft.
two thieves pretending to be from the Water Board have carried out a string of distraction burglaries in the area
Example sentencesExamples
An elderly Bradford on Avon couple were the victims of a distraction burglary.
This is the man police want to speak to in connection with a distraction burglary in Gorse Hill.
Distraction burglary is a pretty low crime and one that needs to be beaten so that we have safer streets.
Motorists on Friday were asked if they had any information which could help identify the men responsible for the distraction burglary.
An elderly woman in Harnham was the victim of a distraction burglary at the weekend.
Police are urging residents to remain vigilant after four distraction burglaries were reported last week.
"The whole point of distraction burglary is that there is always an accomplice who gets in to the house too."
Clear links have been established between doorstep cold-calling and crimes such as distraction burglaries, where crooks con their way into someone's home under false pretences.
According to Home Office statistics 38,000 pensioners were victims of distraction burglary between 2001 and 2003.
A pensioner thwarted an attempted distraction burglary by asking the caller for identification.
They have warned that distraction burglaries occur when con artists offer to repair roofs, replace tiles and fix other weather damage.
Police officers are also warning elderly people to be on their guard tonight because Halloween can be rife with people committing distraction burglaries.
Police believe two children wanted for a distraction burglary at a pensioner's home may have been trained by adults.
It aims to raise awareness about the problem of distraction burglary, in which thieves trick their way into houses by pretending to be someone they are not.
The incident is being treated as a distraction burglary.
The good news is that distraction burglaries are down on last year and detection is up.
PC Weston said it was a typical distraction burglary.
A trial scheme in Cambridgeshire has cut the incidence of distraction burglaries by a ninth (11%) since it was set up two years ago.
The Home Office had previously recognised that distraction burglary was an under-reported crime, he said.
Derivatives
distraction burglar
noun
British
He arrested a distraction burglar who targeted his neighbour's home.
Example sentencesExamples
Three distraction burglars were disturbed during an offence but still managed to escape with the money.
A total ban on all doorstep selling for property repairs will be the only sure way to protect older people from rogue traders and distraction burglars.
"This is the worst distraction burglar I have come across in 21 years as a policeman and one of the worst criminals."
Police are warning pensioners in north and west Wiltshire to watch out for a distraction burglar using an eight-year-old boy.