Golden Rules to avoid being victim of doorstep crime
This is a letter from Sergeant Chris Lane, raising awareness about doorstep crime:
"Dear resident,
Unfortunately there exists in society criminals that repeatedly target the elderly and vulnerable through the means of rogue trading and burglary. As you can understand, the impact on such victims can be hugely significant. As a result Sussex Police are working with our partner agencies to take a robust approach towards offenders.
These rogue traders often cold call on victims. Their methods include charging for unnecessary work, damaging property deliberately in order to create work, leaving work unfinished and using intimidating behaviour to extort money.
Rogue traders will take steps to purport as legitimate traders. Methods will include the use of credible literature, wearing high visibility jackets, hard hats and the like. For example, a traders van was found to have high quality magnetic signs attached to the sides advertising a non-existent company. These gave the appearance of an established and reputable company, but in fact were quite the opposite and the trader had an extensive history of dishonest practices.
Please take some time to read the crime prevention advice, but if you do only one thing, please remember that the very best way to protect yourself is to refuse the services of any person cold calling at your address offering services such as building or gardening work.
Please take care of family, friends or neighbours whom you believe may be vulnerable. Make sure that they know not to deal with door step callers.
In conjunction with Trading Standards with have produced a sticker which can be affixed to your letterbox or door informing that you do not deal with doorstep callers. If you would like a copy free of charge please email me with your name and address and we will deliver one to you whilst out on patrol.
If you have any information regarding rogue trading or other unlawful activity, I would urge you to report your concerns to Sussex Police, Brighton and Hove Trading Standards or via Crimestoppers.
To report an emergency please dial 999
To Report Non Emergency Crime Dial: 101
To speak with Trading Standards dial: 01273 292523
To report information via Crimestoppers dial: 0800 555111
Kind regards,
Sgt Chris LANE CL062
Brighton and Hove Neighbourhood Policing Team
Chris.lane@sussex.pnn.police.uk
Mike FINCH
Brighton and Hove Trading Standards"
Website: www.sussex.police.uk
Golden Rules to avoid being victim of doorstep crime
- Do not deal with door step sellers or traders no matter how legitimate they seem.
- When rejecting such offers be polite, but firm and tell them that you do not deal with door step callers.
- Be very wary of any trader who claims to have noticed a defect with your house offering to fix it for a small sum. For example, a defective roof tile or guttering. The chances are that once you give the go ahead they will claim to have found further problems for which you may end up paying a small fortune!
- Garden services offered on the door step may appear good value, but consider why they are going door to door in the first place. Ask where the waste will be taken and ask to see their waste carriers licence issued by the Environment Agency. If they don’t have one there’s a good chance that your waste will be fly tipped and if traced back to you, you could be held liable and
fined. - If you are called on, keep your door locked or chained until you are 100% satisfied that the caller is genuine.
- Bogus callers may be smartly dressed and claim to be from the council, police or utility companies. Always thoroughly check identification and keep them out if you have any doubts
***** If you think a bogus caller has called on you, report it to the police immediately*****
