Warning comes in wake of distraction burglaries
Friday, 9th July 2010.
Suffolk police are appealing for residents countywide to help support and advise elderly and vulnerable members of the community following a distraction burglary in Ipswich at around 1.30pm on Wednesday.
The incident follows a number of distraction burglaries in the county in recent weeks, where criminals have tried to trick their way into a home.
Often they will say that they are from a utility company such as the ‘water board’. It is important for people to be aware that the water board does not exist and use of this terminology should immediately ring alarm bells.
Ciaran Nelson, from Anglian Water, said: “Our general advice is that if someone turns up on your doorstep asking to come into your home, you should always call the company he or she claims to be from, and check that they are who they say they are. However, we appreciate it’s not always easy to have the relevant phone numbers to hand.
“To help prepare for the time when you are faced with a caller who you cannot immediately verify, the Consumer Council for Water has developed a new section of its website to help people protect themselves against bogus callers.
"Anyone can go to the website, choose their utility suppliers, and print off a list of phone numbers along with our top tips to keep near the telephone.
"If you think this could be useful for you or someone you care about, please take a minute to visit www.ccwater.org.uk, and click on the bogus caller picture.
“Customers should never feel embarrassed or pressurised into letting utility workers onto their property. Our teams are used to being asked for identification, and will be very happy for you to take the time to check that they are who they say they are.
“Those who would feel safer with more protection against bogus callers are also encouraged to register a password with their water or energy company.”
Detective Inspector Steve Clabburn of Ipswich CID is appealing for support from members of the community.
He said: “This is a despicable type of crime where offenders will deliberately target the elderly who they know are more trusting and more inclined to open their door if they feel there is a problem.
"Therefore it is vital that friends, relatives and neighbours emphasise to those elderly and/or vulnerable people just how important it is for them to be sure who they are letting into their homes - and to keep their doors secure so that they can check callers’ credentials before letting them in.
“We have a simple Lock, Stop, Chain and Check method that should be employed by all residents. It is important to keep reminding everyone of these safety messages, especially those who are elderly and/or vulnerable, who may even benefit from having a copy left by their front door.
“Furthermore we would like to encourage everyone to report any suspicious or unusual activity in their community.
"Good descriptions of offenders and registrations of suspicious vehicles are particularly important. Information from members of the public gives us a much greater chance of catching these criminals and bringing them to justice.”
The incident follows a number of distraction burglaries in the county in recent weeks, where criminals have tried to trick their way into a home.
Often they will say that they are from a utility company such as the ‘water board’. It is important for people to be aware that the water board does not exist and use of this terminology should immediately ring alarm bells.
Ciaran Nelson, from Anglian Water, said: “Our general advice is that if someone turns up on your doorstep asking to come into your home, you should always call the company he or she claims to be from, and check that they are who they say they are. However, we appreciate it’s not always easy to have the relevant phone numbers to hand.
“To help prepare for the time when you are faced with a caller who you cannot immediately verify, the Consumer Council for Water has developed a new section of its website to help people protect themselves against bogus callers.
"Anyone can go to the website, choose their utility suppliers, and print off a list of phone numbers along with our top tips to keep near the telephone.
"If you think this could be useful for you or someone you care about, please take a minute to visit www.ccwater.org.uk, and click on the bogus caller picture.
“Customers should never feel embarrassed or pressurised into letting utility workers onto their property. Our teams are used to being asked for identification, and will be very happy for you to take the time to check that they are who they say they are.
“Those who would feel safer with more protection against bogus callers are also encouraged to register a password with their water or energy company.”
Detective Inspector Steve Clabburn of Ipswich CID is appealing for support from members of the community.
He said: “This is a despicable type of crime where offenders will deliberately target the elderly who they know are more trusting and more inclined to open their door if they feel there is a problem.
"Therefore it is vital that friends, relatives and neighbours emphasise to those elderly and/or vulnerable people just how important it is for them to be sure who they are letting into their homes - and to keep their doors secure so that they can check callers’ credentials before letting them in.
“We have a simple Lock, Stop, Chain and Check method that should be employed by all residents. It is important to keep reminding everyone of these safety messages, especially those who are elderly and/or vulnerable, who may even benefit from having a copy left by their front door.
“Furthermore we would like to encourage everyone to report any suspicious or unusual activity in their community.
"Good descriptions of offenders and registrations of suspicious vehicles are particularly important. Information from members of the public gives us a much greater chance of catching these criminals and bringing them to justice.”
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