Window cleaning burglary warning: Burglars may be using a new tactic by posing as neighbourhood window cleaners. Police are concerned about the motives of a group of people who have been knocking on doors in the eastern suburbs and asking if the homeowners want their windows cleaned. An elderly man in South Brighton accepted and had his windows cleaned for $25. But another householder rang police on Saturday because he was suspicious of the man who knocked on his door.
The window cleaner appeared to have associates in a car which was parked nearby. Acting sergeant Simon Mooney said the people approaching householders could be casing properties to see if the owners were home, even though they had window cleaning equipment. Police were aware residents in Collingwood St and Union St, South Brighton, had been approached. There could have been approaches to people in other streets police weren't aware of.
There had been burglaries in South Brighton but it was not known if they were connected to the window cleaners. Acting sergeant Mooney said it was common for burglars to knock on a door first to see if someone was home before breaking in. If someone was home, the would-be burglar would have a plausible reason for being there. They would say they were looking for a dog or a person.
Acting sergeant Mooney said if people suspected there was something sinister behind a door-knock, they should contact police. "Anyone that comes knocking on your door, if they don't sense something right about them, ask them to leave. Don't let them inside the house."
Christchurch police are urging caution over door-to-door window cleaners. A group of men have been approaching householders offering to clean windows in the New Brighton area but have also been seen later observing the properties Area Commander Inspector Dave Lawry said police were concerned the men are trying to identify empty or vulnerable homes. Inspector Lawry said the men don't appear to be linked to any recognised cleaning company. "Police are aware of this group and will be keeping a close watch on their activities," he said. "They do not appear to be linked to any recognised cleaning company, and seemed to be approaching local properties at random." Inspector Lawry urged householders to be cautious about who they let onto their properties, ask any door-to-door window cleaners for identification, and to report any suspicious approaches to police.
Warning over 'window cleaners' scam: Christchurch police are warning people to be cautious about employing door-to-door window cleaners, after recent approaches to householders in the New Brighton area. Police were concerned the "cleaners" may be attempting to identify empty or vulnerable homes as burglary targets, said northern Christchurch area commander, Inspector Dave Lawry. A group of two or three men had approached householders in New Brighton and had been seen observing other properties, he said. The men did not appear to be linked to any recognised cleaning company and seemed to be approaching local properties at random.
"We urge householders to be cautious. There's a strong possibility that these window cleaners are using the business as a ruse to approach houses and establish if they are unoccupied. "Where they do undertake cleaning, they may be using the opportunity to identify items of interest inside or around the property for future burglaries." People should be cautious about who they let onto their properties, ask any door-to-door window cleaners for identification, and report any suspicious approaches to police.
Caution urged over door-to-door cleaners: A group of men approaching home owners offering to clean windows in Christchurch are prompting Police to urge caution. Christchurch police are urging caution over door-to-door window cleaners. Area Commander Inspector Dave Lawry said a group of men have been approaching home owners offering to clean windows and have been seen observing the properties after. He said the men don't appear to be linked to any recognised cleaning company. "In realty while they might do your windows, they may also do your house over," he said. "They've got a bit of a background where they link in with some gang members and are actually inclined to pass on information." Inspector Lawry said people must be careful about who they let onto their properties.
