Cash stolen after child used householder’s toilet

Gardaí are warning householders about an unusual theft which they believe was perpetrated by a young girl.

Children are often usedto distract householders or shopkeepers while adults pilfer goods and cash, but this was not the case last Sunday in Mid-Cork.

A woman, who claimed to be the girl’s mother and appeared to be in her 30s, called to a house in the village of Crookstown at about 3.30pm.

The elderly female owner of the house was sweeping up outside when the woman asked if her child could use the toilet. The pensioner obliged and was kept talking by the child’s mother while the girl was in the house.

Gardaí believe the child stayed in the house for quite some time before emerging and leaving with her mother in what was believed to be a white Volkswagen Golf.

It was after the duo left that the woman discovered cash had been taken from her purse. She reported it to the gardaí.

The householder desc-ribed the woman as being in her 30s with black hair tied in a pony-tail.

She said the daughter was roughly 10-years-old and had blond hair.

The pensioner claimed the woman had said she and the child were on their way to Cork from Bantry.

“It’s very unusual that a young child would be involved in something like this,” said a Garda source.

“Normally thefts occur when an adult arrives with a young child and asks for some milk for the child’s bottle, or to wash the bottle out. Then while they keep the homeowner talking, an adult accomplice slips in and steals valuables.

“People simply shouldn’t let strangers into their house no matter what the excuse is. If you’re on your own don’t let a stranger in. If there is somebody else in the house then make sure they keep an eye on them and don’t let them into other rooms.”

Anybody who has suffered from a similar type theft is asked to contact their local Garda station.

Meanwhile, security firm Netwatch, has warned that vandalism and thefts are due to peak this week. Last year Netwatch recorded a 50% increase in criminal activity during Halloween week and it expects the figure to rise this year.

David Walsh, group CEO, said: “Halloween is great fun for kids, but it can be an extremely expensive time for business owners. Every year we see an increase in crime around business premises by youths looking for bonfire materials.

“Everything not nailed down is seen as fair game, from tyres and pallets to more expensive building materials and even oil theft. Warehouses, construction sites, yards, and unoccupied premises are particularly vulnerable.

“We are urging all business owners to review their safety provision and ensure that all loose materials are secured this bank holiday weekend. A well-lit, locked, and secured area with no visible targets will deter most Halloween criminals.”