Wokingham

Wokingham Borough Council tenants are being warned to be extra vigilant against potential distraction burglars who may use a stolen council-branded van to try to con their way into homes.

The Ford Transit pick-up truck (registration Y641 HPE), which has ‘Wokingham Borough Council Tenant Services’ printed on its side, was taken from Arborfield sometime overnight between Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17. It is not known whether the thieves intend to use it for any distraction crime, but tenants are being warned of the danger.

Wokingham Borough Council staff will not call on tenants’ without an appointment and will always carry identification. As well as checking identification of all callers, tenants and residents are advised to telephone the organisation they claim to represent to validate this.

Wokingham Borough Council tenant services manager Heather Richardson said: “We don’t want to create unnecessary fears but we feel it is worth warning people that this van has been stolen and could be used by distraction burglars.

“We would always advise tenants and residents to check identification before allowing anybody into their homes and so we are only really reiterating standard warnings – don’t be fooled by plausible looking people or – in this case – vehicles; always insist on proper identification.”

Anybody who sees the stolen van should contact tenant services on (0118) 974 6000 or Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505.

Wokingham Borough Council