Semilong Neighbourhood Watch
Community Messages
[NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COMMUNITY MESSAGING - Northamptonshire West - 25.09.09 - WB/CMS/764/09 - ALL NHW - DAN]
Good Morning, this is a message from Northamptonshire West Police.
Doorstep Action Network Look Out (DAN)
Phone: 0345 23 07 702
Website: www.northants.police.uk/lookout
Every Day in Northamptonshire, people are prone to falling victim to doorstep crime. Most victims are elderly or vulnerable.
Whether you are caring for a family member, working as a professional in the community care or community safety field, or just keeping an eye out for a neighbour, you may be the only person that has regular contact with the person(s) you care for and can play a vital role in preventing them from becoming a victim.
Door Step Crime takes two forms:
DISTRACTION BURGLARY - Distraction burglars or bogus callers will call at a house with the intention of tricking their way inside to steal money and/or other valuables.
They may be smartly dressed claiming to be from the Water Board, Council, the Police, Health organisations or Charities. The caller could be a man or woman and even a child. They will use any story to gain access to your property. For Example, need to use your phone or have lost a pet.
ROGUE DOORSTEP TRADER - Rogue doorstep traders will use a trade as a means to extract large sums of money from people.
They will offer services at your doorstep such as block paving, roofing, fascias, gardening. They may also be selling goods. They will often give a vey low quote that will increase as the work begins.
Doorstep Action Network (DAN) has been created to bring together members of the public, private, public charity and community sector Organisations.
0345 23 07 702 - has been created so that we can provide a better service for preventing and detecting Distraction Burglaries and Rogue Doorstep traders.
** PLEASE REMEMBER: If a crime is in progress you must call 999 **
We are asking anyone who has contact with an elderly or vulnerable person to pass on the gentle crime prevention reminders detailed below.
* Make the person you care for aware that they are NEVER required to open their door to unexpected callers and that it is not rude to send someone away
* Reinforce the message "IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, DON'T OPEN THE DOOR"
* Explain the tactics used by the rogue traders and distraction burglars
* Encourage the person to set up passwords with their utility companies
* Try to ensure that the outside of the property is well maintained, including the garden. Properties that are poorly maintained may be targeted
* Advise the person not to keep money in the house and to keep credit/debit cards, cheque books, saving books and any other valuables in a safe place
* Display a "No Cold Calling Home" sticker to discourage unwanted callers
* If you know the person requires some work to be carried out, try to assist them to select a reputable trader by directing them to organisations such as their local Home Improvement Agency, Care and Repair or the Trading Standards "Buy With Confidence" scheme (from January 2010)
If you would like more information on DAN please visit our website www.northants.police.uk/lookout
Thank you for your continued support.
Thank you.
Ref: WB/CMS/764/09
**Northamptonshire Police Contact Details**
Emergency: 999
Dedicated Watch Line: 01604 XXXXXXX
Northamptonshire Police Switchboard: 101
Alternatively Call Crime Stoppers Anonymously: 0800 555 111 |
