Dear Watch members,
Cheshire Police are putting their foot in the door of distraction burglars who trick their way into houses and prey on the elderly and vulnerable.
'Not Sure? Don't Open The Door' is the message at the heart of Operation Liberal's awareness campaign against distraction burglars. The national campaign, sponsored by the Energy Retail Association (ERA), aims to make people aware of the tactics used by distraction burglars and how they can prevent
Cheshire Police are putting their foot in the door of distraction burglars who trick their way into houses and prey on the elderly and vulnerable.
'Not Sure? Don't Open The Door' is the message at the heart of Operation Liberal's awareness campaign against distraction burglars. The national campaign, sponsored by the Energy Retail Association (ERA), aims to make people aware of the tactics used by distraction burglars and how they can prevent
themselves from becoming potential victims.
Detective Inspector Nigel Groom, of the Eastern Area Burglary Team, said:
"We treat distraction burglary as a very serious crime and the emotional impact on the victim can be considerable.
"Making arrests and seeing offenders convicted and sentenced, provides a great deal of job satisfaction, but there is still a victim. We know prevention is the best answer of all which is why we urge people to always question if the person at their door is who they say they are.
"Genuine callers will not be offended when you ask for identification or call the company they claim to be from to check on them. I would appeal to anyone who sees people acting suspiciously around their neighbours' homes to call the police to report their concerns and help to prevent this upsetting and distressing crime."
The campaign uses posters which feature four elderly people and depicts commonly used methods of distraction burglary. The posters will be placed at hearts of communities such as Post Offices, doctors' surgeries, places of worship, community centres, bingo halls, charity shops, newsagents and hospitals.
Find out how to sign up to your energy supplier's Priority Service Register and Password Scheme by calling the Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99). This is a free phone advice and information service run by the Energy Retail Association. Julian Anderton, Head of Operations for the Energy Retail Association, said: "Distraction burglary is an abhorrent crime, and the energy industry is committed to supporting Operation Liberal - to educate communities and support victims of this crime. Everyone has the right to feel safe, and to know that callers to their home are legitimate."
Crime prevention tips:
. If you're not sure who is at your door, don't open it. Check the identity of the caller by calling the company they are purporting to be from i.e. Police, Council or Gas, Electricity, Water companies.
. Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider. Do not use any telephone numbers provided by the caller, as they may be bogus.
. Many utility service providers like gas, electricity and water, provide password schemes for customers, sign up to these. When unannounced callers claiming to be from these utility providers call at your door they should know the password if they are genuine.
. 'Water Boards' no longer exist, it is an obsolete phrase used only by bogus callers.
. Don't keep large quantities of cash at home, put it in the bank where it is safe.
. Keep doors locked and windows secure at all times.
. Ensure that if you do let somebody in to your home, that you close the door behind them - distraction burglars often work in teams, where one will distract you whilst others sneak in through the insecure door.
. If somebody asks for your help (i.e. needs to make a telephone call, lost a ball in your garden, needs a drink or pen and paper) refer them to a younger neighbour or assist them through a closed door or call a friend or neighbour to come and help.
. If you suspect a bogus caller is at your door call the police immediately.
==============================================
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
Detective Inspector Nigel Groom, of the Eastern Area Burglary Team, said:
"We treat distraction burglary as a very serious crime and the emotional impact on the victim can be considerable.
"Making arrests and seeing offenders convicted and sentenced, provides a great deal of job satisfaction, but there is still a victim. We know prevention is the best answer of all which is why we urge people to always question if the person at their door is who they say they are.
"Genuine callers will not be offended when you ask for identification or call the company they claim to be from to check on them. I would appeal to anyone who sees people acting suspiciously around their neighbours' homes to call the police to report their concerns and help to prevent this upsetting and distressing crime."
The campaign uses posters which feature four elderly people and depicts commonly used methods of distraction burglary. The posters will be placed at hearts of communities such as Post Offices, doctors' surgeries, places of worship, community centres, bingo halls, charity shops, newsagents and hospitals.
Find out how to sign up to your energy supplier's Priority Service Register and Password Scheme by calling the Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99). This is a free phone advice and information service run by the Energy Retail Association. Julian Anderton, Head of Operations for the Energy Retail Association, said: "Distraction burglary is an abhorrent crime, and the energy industry is committed to supporting Operation Liberal - to educate communities and support victims of this crime. Everyone has the right to feel safe, and to know that callers to their home are legitimate."
Crime prevention tips:
. If you're not sure who is at your door, don't open it. Check the identity of the caller by calling the company they are purporting to be from i.e. Police, Council or Gas, Electricity, Water companies.
. Use the telephone numbers listed in your local directory or provided independently by your service provider. Do not use any telephone numbers provided by the caller, as they may be bogus.
. Many utility service providers like gas, electricity and water, provide password schemes for customers, sign up to these. When unannounced callers claiming to be from these utility providers call at your door they should know the password if they are genuine.
. 'Water Boards' no longer exist, it is an obsolete phrase used only by bogus callers.
. Don't keep large quantities of cash at home, put it in the bank where it is safe.
. Keep doors locked and windows secure at all times.
. Ensure that if you do let somebody in to your home, that you close the door behind them - distraction burglars often work in teams, where one will distract you whilst others sneak in through the insecure door.
. If somebody asks for your help (i.e. needs to make a telephone call, lost a ball in your garden, needs a drink or pen and paper) refer them to a younger neighbour or assist them through a closed door or call a friend or neighbour to come and help.
. If you suspect a bogus caller is at your door call the police immediately.
==============================================
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