Police slam door on bogus callers

Date published: 27/08/2008

Police are encouraging older and vulnerable residents to sign up to the ‘Nominated Neighbour’ scheme and keep themselves safe from bogus callers.

Participants in the scheme will not talk or open the door to cold callers or allow them entry to their home, unless the caller is accompanied by a ‘nominated neighbour’ or friend. The scheme aims to reduce distraction burglaries, where criminals pose as officials from energy providers, the council or other organisations to gain access to homes to steal valuables.

The forcewide launch of the scheme is part of Operation Yukon, a day of action targeting bogus officials, distraction burglars and rogue traders.

Other activities going on throughout the day of action include increased joint patrols by police and Trading Standards. Untaxed and unregistered vehicles are commonly used by criminals and these will be targeted through extensive automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) operations on main routes throughout Greater Manchester.

PCSOs will be visiting repeat victims and residents to give advice and information on the Nominated Neighbour scheme. Mounted officers will also be patrolling hotspot areas.

Crime prevention events and activities, including theatre workshops highlighting tactics used by bogus officials, will be taking place across Greater Manchester throughout the week.

Police are also using cameras in and around the homes of vulnerable residents to assist in identifying offenders.

Detective Superintendent Patrick McKelvey who is leading Operation Yukon said: “Incidents of distraction burglary have reduced significantly across Greater Manchester over the past few years, but during the summer months we typically tend to see an increase.

“Today’s day of action targets offenders of this distressing crime type and raises awareness of the tactics they use to gain entry into people’s homes.

“Older and other vulnerable people can fall victim to callers that bluff their way into the home to steal valuables. Even groups of people that are generally trusted such as the clergy, council workers and charity workers should always be asked for proof of identity. Our advice is simple - ‘if in doubt-keep them out’ and don’t be pressurised into buying anything from cold callers.”

Andrew Glover from Trading Standards said: “It is important that people report any incidents or suspicions they have about doorstep callers in their area to Trading Standards or the police as we take this matter very seriously.

“Trading Standards services work hard to support victims, whether by offering a rapid response to complaints or training key community workers. If we identify hotspot areas where doorstep crime occurs, we can look to set up “No Cold Calling” zones to protect vulnerable residents.”

Between 1 April and 30 June this year, there was a 31 percent decrease in the number of distraction burglaries across Greater Manchester, compared to the same period last year.