Dear Watch members,
In light of my last email and the fact that we have had several incidents reported in the Macclesfield area over the last couple of days please see below an email I have just received from our Doorstep Crime Dept:
There have been several reports of males knocking on residents doors claiming to be part of a probation service scheme. On several occasions
the caller has an identification badge which appears to be from the Probation Service or a prison.
The Probation Service does not run this scheme and does not issue the identification badges. Prison identification is taken back from prisoners when they are released.
In each case the caller claimed to have been recently released from prison and trying to make a fresh start.
A spokesperson from the probation service said: "Please be assured that no probation areas are involved in this type of resettlement work. Anyone who knows of any person who claims to be working with the authority of the Probation Service in this way should contact the police, giving as much detail as possible.
"Our advice is not to buy from salespeople who claim to be part of this project. The goods or services offered can usually be purchased at a lower price and better quality than those offered at the door."
Police advise residents to always check the identification of callers to their door and to verify their identification by ringing the organisation they claim to be representing. Genuine salespeople will not be offended by these checks.
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Jane Thirsk
Watch Officer
Office: 01244 612725
Wilmslow Neighbourhood Policing Team 0845 458 6374
Knutsford Neighbourhood Policing Team 0845 458 6380
Macclesfield Neighbourhood Policing Team 0845 458 6371
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