New doorstep crime initiative launched across Devon and Cornwall
A new Devon and Cornwall Doorstep Crime Reduction Partnership is being launched today to help beat bogus callers, rogue traders and distraction burglars.
Devon and Cornwall Police has joined forces with county and district councils’ Trading Standards services throughout the region to tackle doorstep criminals. The aim of the partnership is to help prevent residents becoming victims of doorstep crime by raising awareness, particularly among the more vulnerable, and to encourage people to report incidents.
The campaign, which is being supported by BBC local radio and Age UK, is designed to empower people to say No to bogus callers and report any suspicious activity in their local area to the police or Trading Standards.
Traders who refuse to leave someone’s doorstep when asked could be committing a criminal offence, and as part of the campaign, residents are being advised on how best to deal with cold callers and stay safe in their homes, as well as given information on how to collect vital evidence to help the police and Trading Standards identify and catch offenders.
Free crime information packs are being distributed to public places such as libraries, doctors’ surgeries and police stations across Devon and Cornwall to raise awareness of the dangers of doorstep conmen who use common tricks to betray people’s trust.
The packs contain information for residents about protecting themselves against being conned by doorstep criminals, such as checking caller’s ID, using a door chain or simply not opening the door if you’re not sure who it is, as well as getting a second opinion before agreeing to any work and checking the telephone numbers provided. Residents are urged not to let anyone into their home who they don’t know.
In particular, households are being encouraged to display the ‘No Cold Caller’ stickers contained in the packs on their front doors to warn would-be rogue doorstop sellers and cold callers that the occupants are not prepared to do business on the doorstep.
The campaign is also highlighting the rising issue of distraction burglary, where householders are distracted by a caller whilst an accomplice enters the house, often at the rear. It is well established that distraction burglaries use common tricks such as being asked to check the water, gas or electric.
Bob Bunney, Devon and Cornwall Police Crime Reduction Lead, said: “Our continued motivation to protect the people of Devon and Cornwall has developed into a strong partnership across the two counties for the first time.
“We will continue to seek the support of people of all ages in our communities to identify offenders, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of investigations and irradicate this type of crime.”
Steve Gardiner, Special Investigations Unit Manager of Devon County Council’s Trading Standards Service, said: “Doorstep crime is a high priority for Devon Trading Standards. We are all too aware of the lasting impact that such crime can have on victims’ lives, often damaging their confidence and sense of security in their own homes. We also know that victims often become repeat targets of these unscrupulous gangs.
“I am pleased that through this partnership, we will be working even more closely with the police and other Trading Standards Services in the region to deal with doorstep crime together, making use of all available resources to close the net on criminals and make this region a difficult place for them to work.”
Stuart Benson, Assistant Head of Public Health and Protection at Cornwall Council, added: “I hope that collectively we will be better able to raise awareness of the threats posed by doorstep crime. We know that this type of crime is significantly under-reported and would therefore urge the public to be vigilant against cold callers, and report any suspicious activity immediately. Not only will this give us an opportunity to intervene more quickly but it will also assist police and Trading Standards to develop a greater intelligence picture that will aid the detection of offenders.”
Plymouth City Councillor Brian Vincent, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “I’m pleased to see the good work between Trading Standards and the police. We must raise awareness and help people protect themselves from doorstep bogus callers, high pressure sales people and distraction burglars who often prey on elderly and vulnerable people, while ensuring that we are dealing effectively with cases when they’re reported.”
Further support and guidance can be found at:
• www.devon-cornwall.police.uk
• www.tradingstandards.gov.uk
• www.citizensadvice.org.uk
If you have information about illegal doorstep activities, you can either contact police by calling 101 or email 101@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org
If you wish to make a complaint about a trader or report a matter to Trading Standards, please phone the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06.
Anyone wanting work carried out on their homes can contact a Trading Standards approved local business at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
