Communities team up to stop doorstep cons

Sep 1 2009 By Rupert Basham, Surrey Herald

A RISE in the number of distraction burglaries has caused Surrey Police and Elmbridge Council to take action.

Last summer, between May and July, no such burglaries were reported to police. For the same period this year, there have been 10.

Elmbridge Council is holding an awareness week about such crimes from September 28 to October 2.

Information cards will be handed out and trickster performances reenacted so that residents know what to look out for. Distraction (or cold-caller) burglars usually target more vulnerable residents such as elderly people who live on their own.

Their method is to distract people at the door while someone breaks into their home.

On Monday, August 24, a 74-year-old Claygate resident had £400 stolen from his wallet when a burglar pretended to be a police officer.

The increase has caused concern to residents, who are keen to promote awareness, even though such crimes are still relatively infrequent. The council has now introduced No Cold Calling Zones in Hersham, Claygate and Cobham.

Ken Pursey, a member of Cobham and Downside Residents' Association, said: "Elderly people are so kind and these people who go to their doors are professionals.

"They know just how to con the more vulnerable people. I don't know what the answer is. We have printed about 800 envelopes about cold calling, but usually the sentence doesn't fit the crime."

Detective Inspector Brendan Collins, of Staines CID, said: "Sadly, the only way to stop them is not to let them in at all, unless you are 100 per cent happy that they are who they say they are.

"We continually provide elderly and vulnerable residents with crime prevention advice but I want to appeal to the wider community for help in preventing further crimes."

WHERE TO GET HELP

Advice will be given on distraction burglaries during an awareness week (Sep 12 - Oct 2) at the Claygate Centre for Retired People, in Elm Road, and at the Weybridge Centre for Retired People, in Churchfield Place [25a0] For more information phone crime reduction adviser PC Mark Howells on 0845 125 2222