Warning after distraction burglary in Newton near Alfreton
Officers are warning the public following a distraction burglary in Newton, near Alfreton.
At around 3.45pm yesterday (21 February) a man knocked on the door of an elderly woman at a house off Main Street, Newton, explaining that he was doing some renovation work and needed to check the water pressure.
He ran the tap and then told the woman, who is in her 70s, to knock on the table if the water pressure changed. The man then made a search of the house, stealing money from her purse and then leaving just before 4pm.
The man is described as white, approximately 5ft 7ins tall with a large belly. He was dressed in a dark coloured jumper and was wearing a flat cap.
Officers would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen the man described above – or may have CCTV or dashcam footage from the area at the time of the incident.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Derbyshire police using any of the below methods, including reference 21*103356:
- Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
- Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact
- Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.
- Phone – call us on 101.
They are also asking that people remind elderly or vulnerable relatives about the following doorstep safety advice:
LOCK- keep your front and back doors locked, even when at home
STOP - are you expecting anyone?
CHAIN - if you decide to open the door, put the chain on first
CHECK - ask for the caller's ID and check it by phone
- Encourage older and more vulnerable people to get into the habit of always locking their doors and by using a door chain or spy-hole.
- Telephone a neighbour, or a nearby friend, and ask them to come along to help check out the caller before you open the door to them.
- Insist on checking the identity of the caller. If they are genuine, they will not mind waiting or returning later. Do not use any telephone numbers provided by the caller as they may be bogus.
- Don't keep large quantities of cash at home; put it in the bank or post office where it is safe.
- Remember, it is not rude to refuse to let a stranger into your home.
More News From Amber Valley Info
| RMT union to strike on dates in August and September The RMT union has announced strike action on Sunday 30 August, Monday 31 August, Wednesday 16 September and Thursday 17 Septembe read more | |
| Derbyshire Teenager and Cheeky Arab Partner Win 120km Endurance Challeng Fifteen-year-old Hollie Brewell from Belper, Derbyshire, has won a 120km endurance ride at a major internati read more | |
| Former Duffield Masonic Hall to go under the hammer with £160,000 guide price A former Masonic Hall in the heart of Duffield, one of Derbsyhire's most highly sought villages, read more | |
| Two-Week Closure Planned for Ripley Road in Ambergate Ripley Road in Ambergate will close for two weeks in September while essential gas main replacement work takes place. read more | |
| Linsey Farnsworth MP to Host Major Dementia Support & Care Event Linsey Farnsworth, Member of Parliament for Amber Valley, has announced she will host a major community Dementia Inf read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Food waste recycling is coming to Amber Valley From June 2026, Amber Valley Borough Council will introduce weekly food waste recycling across the borough as part of a phased roll-ou read more | |
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |













