Although Colchester has a low rate of distraction burglary or ‘Bogus Callers’ it is something that we would like to keep! This means that everyone need to be on their guard and to think before letting an uninvited person into their house.
At a recent regional conference in Newmarket on Bogus Callers, organised by Cambridgeshire and Suffolk Constabularies it was noted that the most likely ploy of the burglar was to state when you went to the door that they were ‘from the Water Board’
Also, and this cannot be explained, the most likely time for people to become victims of distraction burglaries was in the month of September.
Bogus Callers are a very mobile breed and they often travel long distances across the country to con the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Presentations by police members at the conference indicated that it was not unusual for bogus callers to be in, say, East Anglia today, Tyneside tomorrow and the South West the following day.
This mobility has, in the past, made it difficult for police forces to catch these criminals, but a greater liaison between forces now means that information on incidents is quickly transmitted through their networks.
But, however much the police can do in trying to catch these rogues, the most sensible thing is to try and to be one step ahead and to prevent yourself becoming a victim in the first place.
In 2005/2006 there were 11,552 reported distraction burglaries but this is likely only to be a proportion as many are not reported by people who have felt ashamed by being conned.
For older people more than half actually let the burglar into their premises by believing that the person’s story rang true and not checking that the person was genuine. These victims also often received fewer regular visitors.
Older people who had problems with mobility and activities of daily living were more likely to be victims of an uninvited entry into their premises. They often received more visits from professional carers than from friends and this often led them to believe that the caller’s ID to be genuine.
You can reduce your risk of becoming a distraction burglary victim by reducing your vulnerability and to be constantly aware of the problem.
You could be more vulnerable if your house and garden indicates that an older person lives there and also if your front door is not visible to the street or neighbours.
So, what should you do?
Do not go to your front door at first - look through a window or a spyhole to see who is there.
Remember to check that your back door is closed and locked.
Put the chain or bar on your door then open the door a little to ask for their identification. Close the door. Then check this ID carefully and, if necessary, telephone the company to check that the caller is genuine.
Only, if you are satisfied that the caller is genuine, then open the door to let them in, but, if your have the slightest doubt DO NOT LET THEM IN. Instead, ask them for a letter to be posted to you giving an agreed appointment time when you can have a friend or neighbour with you.
If you feel that the person at your door could be a bogus caller then immediately telephone the police on 999 to report your suspicions - your alertness could help someone else.
Link to 'Be Warm - Be Safe' Campaign
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