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.
“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.
For more information on the Nominated Neighbour scheme, please call 0161 872 5050 or contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team directly.
If any residents have issues or would like advice related to cold callers in their area, they should contact Trading Standards on the Consumer Direct line on 08454 040506 or via the website at
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.
How to prevent yourself from falling victim to doorstep crime
• Ensure all doors are locked even when at home. If you have one, always put the chain on before you open the door, or look out the window to see if you know the caller
• Always ask to see an ID card, then ring the company concerned (not the number on the identification card) to check the caller is genuine. Genuine callers will not mind waiting
• Ask the caller to call back later when you have someone with you if you are still unsure.
• Ensure you know about password systems operated by your utility companies. You will be assigned a password that genuine utility officials will know to quote when they call
• Ensure you know what to do if something goes wrong with your water or gas supply so you can check your supply yourself
• Never be pressurised to accept trades people at your door. Always ask for quotes from three different people for work to be done.
from GMP website author unknown
