21/01/05
The music-hall image of a man in a mask and striped jumper creeping around in the dark is a far cry from today’s burglar. The modern intruder is more likely to arrive in broad daylight, dressed in a high visibility jacket and to talk their way into your home.
According to the Home Office, bogus callers now account for more than seven per cent of burglaries in some parts of the country, and older people living alone are particularly vulnerable to this type of crime.
More properly known as doorstep burglars or distraction burglars, these intruders will often gain entry to homes by pretending to represent a utility company or the local council. Sometimes working in pairs, one caller will distract the householder while another searches for valuables.
In April 2003, police forces in England and Wales began including the numbers of distraction burglary offences as part of the official crime figures. More than 15,000 recorded crimes of this type were recorded in the first year, and many more go unreported, according to research by Help the Aged.
Water company measures
Water companies take the threat of distraction burglary very seriously, putting in place measures and advice to prepare customers against this type of crime. All water company staff carry identification and they are reminded to show this without being asked. Uniforms and branded vehicles also help customers identify genuine callers.
Advice is given to customers with their water bills and via company websites, and extra warnings may be released if bogus officials are known to be operating in an area. Some water companies now also operate password schemes so a customer can ask for a password before giving a caller access.
At community level, companies support initiatives to provide door chains for older customers and co-operate with local police and the national Distraction Burglary Taskforce, set up in 2000 to co-ordinate preventative action.
Preventative steps
Advice from the Metropolitan Police in London, who recorded more than 4,200 such crimes in 2003-04, is straightforward:
“Bogus callers succeed because they sound believable, so don't be fooled. Make sure in your own mind that they are whom they claim to be by following these simple steps:
• Think before you open the door - use your chain and spy hole or look out of the window to see if you recognise them.
• Ask callers for proof of identity. Genuine tradesmen should carry an identification card with their photograph on. Check this carefully. If you are unsure, telephone the company the caller claims to represent.
• The utilities now offer a password identification system. Any caller from one of these companies should be able to give a pre-arranged password as additional proof of identity.
• Beware of callers who attempt to distract you by claiming that they have seen something untoward in your rear garden or somewhere which may encourage you to leave your house - they may have an accomplice awaiting this distraction.
• If you are not convinced of the identity of the caller, don't let them in. Ask the caller to come back later and arrange for a friend, relative or neighbour to be present on their return or ask the caller to contact this person.
• Treat every stranger with caution. If you are still worried, dial 999 immediately and ask for the police.”
Ends
Further information
Barrie Clarke, Director of Communication
020 7344 1804 (out of hours pager 07623 960573)
