VOLUNTEERS TO BE TRAINED ON DANGERS OF DISTRACTION BURGLARIES
21st April 2005
Volunteers from Gloucester will take part in a training course tomorrow (Friday, April 22) in a bid to reduce the number of elderly people who fall victim to distraction burglaries.
Volunteers attending the sessions, being held at the Oxstalls Indoor Tennis Centre in Gloucester, are already working with organisations such as Age Concern and the WRVS, as well as with the local neighbourhood partnerships, and so will already be known to the residents they will visit.
“We often provide sessions where people can come along and learn more about home security or what they should do if an unexpected stranger calls at their door, but there are many people who physically cannot get to such an event,” said crime reduction officer for Gloucester, Pc Kevin Ireland.
“The idea of these sessions is that we will have trained volunteers who are able to go into homes and speak to residents on a one to one basis about how they can protect themselves and what to think about when they answer the door, in the hope that we can reduce the incidents of this distressing crime.”
During the training course, volunteers will learn more about doorstep crime and once they have completed the day session will be able to take their skills along with information video’s to talk to residents using pre-arranged appointments.
Funding has also been found through the Community Partnership department of Gloucestershire Constabulary to provide five television and video combination units for the volunteers to take into homes if residents do not have their own equipment.
“We are really grateful to our partners from the Neighbourhood Partnerships, Age Concern, and the WRVS in assisting us to protect the elderly and more vulnerable members of our community,” said Pat Dabbs, coordinator of Gloucester’s CDRP.
Police would advise homeowners to take extra care when an unexpected caller arrives asking for help and to follow the Stop, Check, Chain rule:
- STOP and think - are you expecting anybody?
- CHAIN the door
- CHAIN the door
“The Trading Standards Service of Gloucestershire County Council are enthusiastic partners in this new initiative to help train people to deal with the problem of bogus callers and rogue traders,” added John Paddock of Gloucestershire’s Trading Standards.
”Every year we receive reports of rogue traders who prey on vulnerable consumers. We have seen however that given the confidence and knowledge about what to look out for, they can take a few simple effective steps to prevent becoming a victim of these types of crimes.
“The trainers using our videos and guidance notes will be able to pass on advice we provide and will be able to call on our expertise for further help if required.”
Trading Standards can assist in spotting those who pretend to be legitimate traders and what questions to ask. Their advice is simple, check:
- the full name and address of the trader.
- that you have been given written notice of a right to cancel if the trader called uninvited.
- the price by getting quotes from other businesses.
- that you have a clear written agreement on the work to be done and how much it will cost.
If in doubt keep them out.