A joint protocol aimed at dealing with rogue traders and distraction burglars has been launched by North Wales Police and Trading Standards from the six local authorities across the force area.
The Memorandum of Understanding on the Enforcement of Doorstep Crime Offences was launched at the force communications centre in St Asaph this week (Tuesday 20th January).
Led by the Community Safety Partnership in Flintshire and Wrexham, the protocol outlines new working arrangements ensuring that all reports of rogue traders and distraction burglars are investigated jointly between North Wales Police and Trading Standards from the moment they are first reported.
Inspector Paul Firth from the Eastern Divisions Community Safety and Cohesion Department said: The message we want to put out is that we are taking this problem seriously.
This type of crime is typically targeted at older and vulnerable people, often those who live alone. Because this type of crime occurs in the home, it can have a lasting effect on a person and goes way beyond the loss of any money or property.
Already throughout January, weve had 11 reports of rogue traders and distraction burglars in Wrexham. Only yesterday we received a report to say that an 87-year-old woman had been visited at her home in Pandy, Wrexham by three men claiming to work for the council.
She asked them for identification but was told they had kept in their van even though they were seen in a car. Thankfully nothing was stolen and the matter was reported to police and trading standards quickly.
Joint working between the Police and Trading Standards is not new and this protocol follows on from research into the links between rogue traders and serious crime. There are documented cases showing how victims are identified first as an easy touch to be conned out of money to pay for non existent or very poor examples of work, and then go on to be repeatedly targeted by increasing intimidating individuals to the point where violence is used.
Inspector Jason Higgins from the force Control Room attended a joint training session on the way potential victims are identified and targeted by criminals. He said: I was personally quite surprised and quite shocked to learn how systematically elderly vulnerable people living alone are targeted by bogus officials and workmen.
It was also disturbing to learn that this type of crime is grossly under-reported.
Inspector Firth explained: Because this happens in the home, all too often the victims feel that they have been taken in by the bogus caller and are reluctant to tell anyone, even their close relatives.
An important part of today is to reassure everyone that they are in control in their home and not to allow anyone through the door that they are not completely happy with. We would urge everyone who has a neighbour or relative who may be vulnerable in any way to support them and to keep re-iterating the youre in control message.
Head of Flintshire Trading Standards, Ron Hughes said: I and my colleagues welcome this partnership working between the local authorities and police across North Wales. Together we can make a significant impact in dealing with the few unscrupulous individuals who attempt to take advantage of our older people by committing crimes on their doorsteps.
Following the official launch at the Communications Centre, key partners involved in the fight against doorstep crime including representatives from local community groups attended the St Davids Hotel in Ewloe, where Police and Trading Standards Officers gave feedback on the work already undertaken
A short sketch, performed by Flintshire Trading Standards Officers, was also given to the delegates highlighting the dangers of doorstep crime and rogue traders.
Anyone wishing to report suspicious behaviour in their area is urged to contact North Wales Police on 0845 607 1001 (Welsh line) or 0845 607 1002 (English line).
Notes:
•During 2008 there were over 100 reported incidents of bogus callers / rogue traders / distraction burglaries recorded across North Wales.
•These range from a father and son charging £150 to clean a driveway with washing up liquid and a bucket of water and an elderly lady being visited by workmen on three occasions where over £2,000 was handed over for no apparent reason.
22.1.09
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DolpthinsCome2Wales 3 years ago
You Police force are full of it. Sack many of you then the good will get a job. Your officers caused mental terror to they own pets, look at the way you have treated Mr James the DISABLED Carmarthen man! Call your-self Police, what a big joke. What is wrong with you people. When the public-victims get respect I am sure you Police will. The Police weather it be in Wales or England target the disabled, the mentally ill and the backward or slow to keep up there arrest figures. EASY TARGETS!
DolpthinsCome2Wales 3 years ago