POLICE in Warrington are urging all residents to make sure bogus callers do not ruin the festive season.
The winter months often see an increase in distraction burglaries and bogus caller offences in which the elderly and vulnerable are the most common victims.
A distraction burglary is a crime where entry is gained to premises by an offender, who pretends to be a person who would normally be allowed entry to those premises, with the intention of stealing.
This includes bogus officials, who often claim to be from a utility company or other official body, and rogue traders who offer to carry out work for a set fee and then increase the charges having carried out a poor standard of work – or no work at all.
Sadly, around Christmas, these offenders use the long, dark nights to mask their crimes playing on the vulnerability of their victims.
This year however, police in Warrington are determined to put the freeze on bogus callers.
Chief Inspector Nick Bailey said: “Any form of burglary is disturbing as it targets people in the place they should feel safest – their home.
“But distraction burglaries and bogus caller incidents are particularly despicable as the offenders deliberately set out to cause misery for the elderly and most vulnerable members of society.”
The majority of bogus callers use similar lies and identities to gain access to people’s houses – usually claiming to be from the water board or gas company – however they can be as varied as having lost a cat or having kicked a ball into a garden.
Officers in Warrington are calling on all residents to be vigilant when answering the door – and not to let anyone in unless they are sure they are who they say they are.
Chief Inspector Bailey added: “Fortunately doorstep crimes are relatively rare although it is a sad fact that many offences are not reported to police as the victims feel embarrassed and ashamed.
“I want to assure everyone living in Warrington that we, and our partner agencies, are doing all we can to bring distraction burglars and bogus callers to justice.”
Anyone who has been a victim of doorstep crime should contact police on 0845 458 0000.
Warning over bogus callers
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
