The independent crime-fighting charity, Crimestoppers, has issued CCTV images in a new attempt to gather information about an aggravated burglary [28 June 2011]

The images show two men who Police believe barged into the home of an 85 year old man and stole £150 cash, a mobile phone and two rings. The shocking incident, in which the victim’s wrists and ankles were tied together with parcel tape, happened at about 2pm on Wednesday October 13, 2010, just off the High Street in Canewdon.

Both men are described as white, slim, between 5ft 8in to 6ft and aged between 20 and 30. The first man was wearing a dark jacket, a cap, black trousers and black shoes. The second was wearing a black jacket with a light colour lining, jeans and white trainers. He had short hair.

The CCTV camera also picked up two people walking their dog shortly before the incident and it is felt they may have key information about the attackers.

The appeal currently features on the Most Wanted section of the Crimestoppers website. Most Wanted allows members of the public to view individuals sought by Police in their local area and give information to the independent charity Crimestoppers  anonymously if they feel unable to go to the Police. The appeal can also be viewed on the Essex page of the In Your Area section on the main Crimestoppers website.

The elderly man, who does not wish to be identified, said: “I am afraid to be in my own home. This should be where I am safe, but I’m not anymore. I have been through the war and seen many things, but this has severely traumatised me. This incident is on my mind the whole time. I’m constantly thinking about it, day and night and now I suspect everyone I see”.

Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers said: “This burglary has not only robbed this man of his possessions but it has robbed him of feeling safe in his own home. Please come forward to the independent charity Crimestoppers so this awful crime can be solved. We do not ask for your name and no call is traced or recorded. You won’t have to give a statement, speak to the Police or go to court – we only want to know what you know, not who you are. In the 23 years that Crimestoppers has been running we have never broken our anonymity promise”.

She added: “Did someone display unusual behaviour that day? Has someone confessed to being involved? Perhaps someone witnessed the event or saw suspicious activity in the area? Crimestoppers wants to receive any information no matter how insignificant it may seem. No information has been received to date”.

A reward of up to £3,000 has also been offered by Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and conviction of these two men. Information can be given by calling 0800 555 111 or submitting a secure online form.

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For further information please contact Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers on 07825445720 or ann.scott@crimestoppers-uk.org

For questions about the Police investigation please contact the Essex Police Press Team on 0300 333 4444 x 50623.

Notes to editors

• Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously. They can also use our ‘giving information’ form via our website www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

• Around 23 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every sevennine days is charged with murder.

• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in 99,130 over 107,000 arrests and charges. Over £1152 million worth of goods has been recovered and over £205185 million worth of drugs.

• In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK’s Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful with over 1,200869 arrests to date.

• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers ‘call to action’ is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.

Charity number: 1108687