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This page contains news and events relating to distraction burglary. It is updated on a regular basis.

Trickster - using musical to combat distraction burglary

Trickster raises the level of awareness of the issue of distraction burglary and dishonest doorstep traders, and provides advice and builds confidence without raising the fear of crime.

The main character George, a war veteran, has recently become a victim of distraction burglary. Having gotten advice from the local police, George and his war time friend Sidney practice the doorstep procedure. And when one of the bogus callers calls on George to con him again, the now "wised up" George calls the police and the caller is arrrested.

With professional actors, an original script and songs specially written to capture the important messages, Trickster is unique, impactive and thought provoking, leaving the audience wiser, stronger and more confident when dealing with doorstep callers.

On tour around the South West region of the UK, Trickster is reaching audiences delivering the prevention message without raising the fear of crime.

For further information click Trickster or call the information line 01725 518760.

Published: 21/05/07

A guide for care professionals and carers

In February 2007, the Home Office publsihed a guide for care professionals and carers called "Keep an eye open for bogus callers". It contains common sense tips which carers (friends, relatives, neighbours) or care workers can impart to and share with the people they care for to prevent them from becoming victims of distraction burglary.

The guide covers important issues such as good doorstep behaviour, promoting independence, valuables & money safety, reporting of crime and many more.

Multiple copies of the guide can be ordered from Prolog 0870 241 4680 (Product reference code: GCCP).

Published: 18/02/07

Distraction Burglary Recorded Crime Data Online Supplement to HOSB12/06

The online supplement to the Home Office Statistical Bulletin 12/06 (Crime in England & Wales 2005/06) containing the distraction burglary recorded crime data , broken down by police force area for 2004/05 and 2005/06 is being published today.

The supplement has been issued following the resubmission of the data by police forces due to errors in the recording of distraction burglaries for 2004/05 and 2005/06. It can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/notes/january07_summaries.html

For 2004/05 the recorded crime figure for distraction burglary was 13,261 and for 2005/06 it decreased to 11,552 (13% reduction).

See also Statistics

Published: 25/01/07

The Truth about Council Tax Revaluation

Lately there had been incidents of individuals purporting to be from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), demanding entry into people's houses. The VOA had confirmed that these individuals were not from the valuation office and were therefore bogus callers.

The following facts will enable you to set the record straight, reassure the public about Council Tax Revaluation and tackle bogus caller crime. They will also help counteract misleading stories in the media.

• Council Tax Revaluation in England has been postponed. The Government has made it clear that it does not believe that revaluation will take place during the lifetime of this Parliament. A revaluation in Wales took place with effect from 1 April 2005.

• Trained Valuation Office Agency staff still have the same powers of inspection as they did when council tax was introduced in 1993. The Government has no plans to change those powers.

• As part of their ongoing duty to maintain the current Council Tax lists Valuation Office Agency staff will only inspect internally where the information cannot be gathered by an external inspection or from other sources. Inspectors make every effort to arrange appointments with householders in advance and they always carry and present identity cards that incorporate a photograph.

• It would be extremely rare that photographs are taken inside a person's home and this would certainly not be done without the occupier's permission. Suggestions of widespread photography of internal rooms are just rumours. It is difficult to envisage circumstances in which a photograph of a bedroom would be required.

• There is no power for Valuation Office Agency staff to enter properties forcibly. If entry is declined, the VOA member of staff will make his or her best judgement about the correct band for the property by external inspection or if appropriate arrange an alternative appointment.

• No-one has ever been fined or had proceedings taken against them in England for refusing entry to Valuation Office Agency staff.

Further information can be obtained from www.voa.gov.uk/council_tax/

Published: 22/01/07

Police Care Watch

Police have joined forces with owners and managers of care centres in North Somerset to set up an early warning communications system.

The hotline to care homes - "Police Care Watch" - will also provide care homes with regular crime prevention advice and support. More than 75 per cent have already signed up to the system. Now police hope the remaining 18 homes will join the care link system.

PC Steve Burrough of North Somerset policing districts crime reduction team said: "We believe this is the first scheme of its kind in the Avon and Somerset force area, which will help to reassure care centre owners and those who live in the homes.

"If there is a distraction burglary at a care home, we can in just minutes, issue a warning and advice to other homes who are signed up to the scheme. It is in effect an early warning communications system, similar to that used very effectively with Neighbourhood Watch.

"A number of incidents of theft and bogus callers visiting care homes sparked off the idea of setting up a ring round network. We are conscious of the fact that many residents living in the care homes have with them their valuables including priceless never-to-be-replaced family heirlooms. They also have any drugs or medicines, which they may be taking. This makes them potential targets but because of their age and health they are particularly vulnerable."

"In some of the care establishments security provision is excellent but in others less so. This new messaging system will enable us to relay crime prevention information as well as issue warnings about potential distraction burglars who may be in the area," said PC Burrough.

All those who are signed up to the scheme will display a special poster in a prominent place such as a porch or front window to show they are members of the scheme.

Beaufort Hall Nursing Home manager Jacquie Bowen, said: " We think this is an excellent partnership scheme which will help provide further security and reassurance to both our residents and staff. It is an excellent way of sharing information and advice.

"As a home owner it is easy to think that you will never become a victim but it does happen. Hopefully this new scheme will help raise awareness of distraction burglary," she said.

For further information, please contact Media Relations Officer Wayne Baker in the Corporate Communications Department on 01275 816350.

Published: 21/08/06

Nominated Neighbour Scheme

The majority of older people have the confidence to deal with callers at their door using the Lock, Stop, Chain, Check procedure. However some may need a helping hand in dealing with unwanted or unexpected callers.

Under the Nominated Neighbour Scheme, older residents are encouraged to seek the help of a neighbour or relative in checking that unexpected callers to their door are genuine.

When an unexpected caller appears at the door, the occupant shows the Nominated Neighbour Card through a nearby window, through the letterbox or having secured the door chain, they open the door and show the card to the caller.

The occupant is encouraged not to enter into a conversation with the caller or open the door, but to just show the card. A genuine caller does not mind following the instructions on the card.

The card directs the caller to go to the house of a nearby 'Nominated Neighbour' who is better able to verify the caller's validity or to telephone a trusted relation or friend so that they can check the caller by telephone. When the Nominated Neighbour is satisfied that the caller is genuine, they accompany the caller to the older person’s home.

The cards are never left on permanent display, merely shown to each caller as they arrive.

Residents are asked to volunteer to act as the ‘Nominated Neighbour’ for any older or vulnerable persons in their area. It will take very little of their time, and their details will added to the Ringmaster messaging system to keep them informed of any bogus caller activity which may threaten their neighbourhood.

The 'Ringmaster' computer records a message from the police or the Neighbourhood Watch and then sends it by telephone to members who are participating in the scheme.

The Nominated Neighbour Scheme is currently being run across England & Wales including Norfolk, Derbyshire, Suffolk, Devon & Cornwall, Avon & Somerset and Durham.

If you wish to set up a Nominated Neighbour scheme in your area, please contact your Neighbourhood Watch representative, Crime Reduction Officer (from your local Police Station) or Community Safety Officer (from your local council).

Published: 15/08/06

Sure At Your Door

Age Concern has joined forces with National Grid to launch a new scheme to help older people protect themselves against bogus callers. Called "Sure At Your Door", the initiative helps educate people about good doorstep behaviour, gives them confidence to turn unwanted callers away and provides them with the tools to protect themselves in their home. This will empower older people to feel more confident and safe in their own homes.

The scheme is being piloted in Sheffield and Wigan. These areas were chosen because of the amount of gas pipe replacement and street works being carried out by the new gas alliances in these areas.

A bogus caller prevention pack has been produced, a theatre company has signed up to take a touring performance and training devised for Age Concern volunteers to help deliver a special outreach programme to older people who are unable to leave their homes.

Download Sure At Your Door PDF 220 Kb

For further information, please contact Alicia Hardy at alicia.hardy@ace.org.uk

Published: 27/06/06

At Home - Not Alone Project

This is a 2-year Partnerships for Older People (POPPs) project, led by Norfolk County Council. The project receives £3.6 million funding from the Department of Health.  It aims to allow older and more vulnerable people to live independently for longer and remain safe in their own homes.

A major element of the "At Home - Not Alone" project is home security (including fire safety). The Home Security Working Group (HSWG), led by Sgt. Andy Usher, will implement a scheme to raise the awareness of older people and those in regular contact with them about the risks of bogus callers and rogue traders. The Group members include Norfolk Constabulary, Norfolk Fire Service, Trading Standards, Norfolk Partners Against Crime Taskforce, Adult Social Services, Age Concern and Home Improvement Agencies.

The initiative is concentrating in six Primary Care Trust areas. Target hardening devices such as bogus caller alarms, smoke alarms, door locks, spy holes and key safes are to be fitted at older people's home once a crime prevention assessment has been carried out.

Funds have been allocated for bogus caller awareness publicity and training of care staff. In addition, the "Nominated Neighbour" scheme will be promoted as a safeguard against bogus callers and rogue traders. And "Norfolk Home Call" will also be promoted to provide a safe alternative to employing cold callers.

For further information, please contact Sgt. Andy Usher (Norfolk Constabulary) at ushera@norfolk.pnn.police.uk

Published: 27/06/06

The "Report It" Campaign

The "Report It" campaign is co-ordinated by Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) and was launched in April 2005.

This campaign encourages the community, and older people in particular, to feel confident about reporting doorstep crime to the police. By increasing the levels of reporting and the detection rates, the police aims to prevent  further crime from being committed. The campaign also provides an opportunity to give crime reduction advice to older people in a positive and empowering way.

Since its launch a year ago, Greater Manchester has seen some reduction in actual doorstep crime. The reporting of suspicious callers have increased.

The copyright of the artwork for this campaign is owned by GMPA, but is available to other authorities at a nominal cost.

For further information, please contact Lesley Allen (GMPA Bogus Caller Project Officer) at lesley.allen@gmpa.gov.uk

Published: 27/06/06

Care Directions Bogus Caller Page

On 15th May 2006, Care Directions launched a new page on their website. Working with the Home Office, the new page contains advice on how to beat the bogus caller with the good doorstep behaviour - Lock, Stop, Chain, Check.

Care Directions website features a comprehensive guide for older people and their carers to empower them with the information they will need when making choices in their lives.

To view the page, please click here.

Published: 18/05/06

Switchover to Digital TV

Between 2008 and 2012 the analogue TV signal will be switched off to enable the roll out of digital terrestrial television across the UK. 

The switchover will be carried out by Digital UK, the independent non-profit organisation set up by the public service broadcasters at the request of government to provide impartial information on what people need to do to prepare for the move to digital television.

The Targeted Help Scheme has been set up to support the most vulnerable during the process.

Eligible households include:

• where there's one person aged 75 or over

• where one person has a significant disability

• help will be available free of charge to households with one person aged 75 or over, disabled households receiving pension credit, income support or jobseekers allowance; other households will pay a modest fee

• specific support for households where one person is blind

Information will be sent to eligible individuals well in advance of their region switching over to digital. Digital installers will not arrive at their homes without their prior knowledge, and assistance will only be given at the individual's request and by appointment only.

The Bolton Targeted Help Trial

A trial project by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and the BBC is taking place in a ward in Bolton, near Manchester. The aim of the project is to gather information on what help is needed by the elderly consumers, how such help will be best provided and what practical issues arise. This includes some younger participants with severe visual, hearing and mobility difficulties.

The trial findings will help inform the development of the Targeted Help scheme and will be published over the next few weeks. It will be available at www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk

If you want to know more about the switchover, you can visit www.digitaluk.co.uk or call 0845 6 50 50 50.

If you need information in large print, audio, Braille or in another language, e-mail publications@digitaluk.co.uk

Published: 5/05/06

Senior Screen Event (Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire)

It would be a mammoth task to visit and talk to individuals in the towns and villages in Aylesbury and Chiltern areas. Recognising this, Thames Valley Police in Buckinghamshire and partners have come up with a good idea by organising an event called the Senior Screen.

Every three months, on a Wednesday morning at the Odeon multi-screen cinema in Aylesbury, relatives of the elderly (of all age groups), carers and the elderly themselves come to the cinema to watch the screening of a recent film at half the price of a normal ticket. Before the film is shown, the audience is offered hot beverages and biscuits, and the opportunity to talk to representatives from Neigbourhood Watch, Trading Standards, Crimestoppers, Fire & Rescue and Local Authority Community Safety. A short presentation to raise awareness about distraction burglary and other crime problems is also given by a crime reduction advisor.

This initiative has been going from strength to strength since 2004. It is sustainable at low cost and little effort, and due to a good relationship with the Odeon management, it can be arranged at short notice. The average audience size is 140.

Stephen Shaw, General Manager of the Odeon in Aylesbury said, "Stealing from the elderly and vulnerable is a horrible crime. If we can help police and the local authorities in stopping just one person becoming a victim I will feel this campaign has been a success. The Odeon is keen to support the police and their partners in their drive to make residents safer."

For further information about the Senior Screen event, please contact David Price (Crime Reduction Advisor) on 01296 396022 or e-mail him at david.price@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

Published: 5/05/06

Keep Safe - A Personal Safety Guide for People with Learning Disabilities

A booklet setting out how vulnerable adults and those with learning disabilities can protect themselves from crime was published by the Home Office at the end of April 2006.

The ‘Keep Safe’ booklet contains advice on how to keep safe when at home (including the good doorstep protocol to prevent distraction burglary) and when out and about, including tips on using public transport and cash machines. It also deals with bullying, attacks and mugging, which often go unreported to the police. There is also advice on where to go for help and how to report incidents to the police. 

Download Keep Safe PDF 2.32Mb (large file!)

Multiple copies can be ordered from Prolog 0870 241 4680. Quote product code KSLD1.

NB - This booklet is designed specifically for people with learning disabilities. Due to limited availability, it is  important to ensure that this booklet reach only its intended audience.

Published 24/04/06

Last update: Wednesday, August 01, 2007