|
|
 Stay out stranger!
Every year hundreds of householders - often the elderly and infirm - report that they have fallen victim to distraction burglars and bogus callers.
Distraction burglary is described as any crime where a falsehood, trick or distraction is used to gain, or try to gain, access to the premises to commit burglary.
Distraction burglaries are not spontaneous crimes committed by opportunists for a few pounds, they are well organised groups that travel hundreds of miles to target Hampshire and the surrounding counties.
Distraction burglars tend to use a number of ruses in order to gain entry into people’s homes, often posing as utility workers, or council officials claiming to be from the ‘Water Board’. It is often assumed by the public that distraction burglars are men - this is not always the case, these groups often include women and children as well.
In addition to distraction burglars, doorstep crime also encompasses rogue traders. This is where bogus gardeners or builders carry out inferior work or repairs on a property and then charge extortionate amounts of money for below standard work.
If you have elderly or vulnerable friends or neighbours, remind them about being careful and to keep the door shut if they don’t recognise the caller. Don’t keep large amounts of cash at home and don’t be afraid to call 999 or 101 if you see anything suspicious.
Don’t have sleepless nights! The chance of being the victim of crime in Hampshire and Isle of Wight really is very low. However we can all do our bit to make our communities an even less friendly place for criminals.
Remember, if you have information about any crime, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or click www.crimestoppers-uk.org where you can also give details anonymously.
For further Crimestoppers updates please follow me on Twitter @HantsCrimestopp
PC 741 Simon Wright
Article posted on: 24 June 2015
< List all News
|
|
|
