Heatwave thieves rob old people in Brittany capital

Two women took advantage of France's heatwave to rob old people in Brittany’s main city, Rennes, this week.

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As temperatures soared and public service announcements warned elderly people to take special precautions, one of the thieves gained access to victims’ homes by pretending to be sent either by the town council or a charity to check on the occupant’s well-being.

Meanwhile, the other would steal jewellery, whose loss was sometimes not noticed until some time later.

Four such robberies were reported between 14 and 17 August, police say.

They stress that local councils contact people who may be at risk from the heat by telephone and never kock on their doors without prior warning.