If in doubt keep them out
FOLLOWING a series of burglaries when thieves posing as officials have made their way into people’s homes, police have issued the fresh warning, ‘IF IN DOUBT, KEEP THEM OUT’
A Cheshire police spokesperson said: “This type of crime is despicable; victims of distraction burglary can suffer terribly both emotionally and physically and it can seriously affect their trust and faith in people afterwards.
“I would urge residents to be extra vigilante when answering the door to strangers no matter who they say they are. People should always ask to see identification before letting anyone into their home and should not be worried about offending them.
A genuine caller should not have any problem producing their ID.
“Residents should also make use of door chains if they have them, make a call to the organisation the caller claims to be from to double-check who they are, and if you are still in doubt, ask them to come back another time when you have someone else with you.”
“It is vital people remember to check the identity of any stranger who calls at their home, genuine callers will not mind waiting. Help and support is available from the police, local authorities, and utility companies so please make sure you use it.”
“I would also ask that people keep an eye on who is visiting or knocking of the doors of their elderly or vulnerable neighbours.”
Many people who call at your door are genuine but some are not. Therefore it is vital to take precautions when people call at your home:
· Always make sure visitors to your home are who they say they are by asking to see their identification.
· Do not let people into your property that you do not know. These type of people may pretend to be an official or may just ask for a drink of water or if they can use the toilet. Remember ‘if in doubt, keep them out’.
· Remember to close and lock the back door before answering the front door.
· The best defence against a bogus caller is to have a viewer or spy hole and a stout door chain fitted to your door.
· If the caller claims to be from the electricity, gas or water company, ask them to quote your customer reference number.
· A genuine caller from these utility companies should be able to quote these numbers.
· 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.
· 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.
Police are urging residents to contact the police if they think a bogus caller has deceived them, don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed - these offenders are convincing liars and anyone can be misled.
Help make sure no one else becomes a victim by telling the police about what happened to you. We can only catch bogus callers with your information.
For further crime reduction advice about bogus officials, please telephone your local Police. The number will be in the phone book and ask to speak to your local Crime Reduction Officers.
Anyone who has information about this kind of burglary is urged to contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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