Doorstep Crime

Let us know if you have any information about Doorstep Crime - contact Consumer Direct immediately on 08454 040506 or go to their website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

For more information about what Lancashire County Council Trading Standards Service is doing about Doorstep Crime please click on the following links

• Early Warnings - read the latest warnings of possible scams in your area
• No Cold Calling Areas - Areas where the community have banded together to say 'No' to uninvited salespeople
• Rapid Response - Are you or anyone you know currently being targeted by a suspected bogus seller or workmen?
• Victim Support - Further support which can be arranged for the elderly and vulnerable in relation to Doorstep Crime Incidents
• Theatre Group - How to arrange a visit from our Trading Standards Stay Safe Theatre Group
• Home Improvement Agencies helping you to live safely and securely - Find out if further support is available in your area with regard to Home Improvement Matters
• How to Protect Yourself from Doorstep Crime - Follow our simple pointers to remain in control and ensure you don't become a victim
• Inform Us If you have any information on rogue traders working in and around the Lancashire area please let us know
  

Doorstep crime is a major problem throughout the UK and older adults in particular are at risk from bogus callers and doorstep rogue traders. These problems are well documented and well known to investigative agencies such as Trading Standards and the Police. A survey conducted by Help the Aged in 2003 suggested there had been in the region of 300,000 incidents of doorstep crime nationally that year. Official crime figures are far lower, reflecting the fact that we believe as few as 1 in 33 such incidents may actually be reported.

Unfortunately many older and vulnerable adults do fall victim to rogue workmen or plausible sales people who then demand large amounts of money for little or no service. Isolated and pressured into paying, these victims are often driven to the bank /building society to withdraw the cash.

'Traders' call uninvited to people's homes with the intention of tricking the occupant into letting them in so that they can steal or otherwise persuade you to hand over money.

They often pose as officials from utility companies, try to sell you something at an inflated price for a once in a lifetime offer, or seek payment for doing a job, for example gardening, resurfacing the drive, or roof repairs.

These 'traders' will often use fear as a way of persuading the occupant to have the work done, fear, that if they don't do the work right now, the house may be in danger of major damage. This is particularly persuasive to older people who can't check up on the traders themselves and whose home is their security and independence.

Once they have gained access to the property these bogus traders will commit one or more of three following three Criminal Offences

1. ‘Distraction Burglary' - where one ‘trader' will keep the occupant talking, while another often unnoticed accomplice scours the house for valuables and money
2. Obtaining Property by Deception – The ‘trader' will deceive the victim into handing over property or money in return for the provision of property or services which the ‘trader' never intended to provide.
3. Improperly Conducted Property Repairs or Gardening Maintenance - The trader will convince the occupant of the house that emergency repairs are needed, usually for something that is difficult to check, e.g. Roof slates need replacing or the chimney stack needs re-pointing, and they impress upon the occupant that it needs to be done quickly to prevent further damage to the property. These jobs often do not need doing, but the 'trader' charges the occupant extortionate amounts of money to carry the work out. In most cases the job is carried out to a poor standard or not at all. This unfortunately is not yet controlled by any specific legislation but there are pieces of legislation enforced by Trading Standards that can help to tackle it.

Police and Trading Standards are now working together to tackle these criminals, who target the most vulnerable members of society. The following pages will inform you as to what Lancashire Trading Standards Service are doing to help, and what members of the public can do to help us.

Three Golden Rules to Avoid becoming a Victim of Doorstep Crime

STOP: Are you expecting anyone? Before answering the front door check that the back door is locked and remove the key.

CHAIN: Put the door bar or chain on. Look through the spy hole (if your door has one) or the window to see who it is. Always keep the bar or chain on while you are talking to the person on your doorstep.

CHECK: Ask for and carefully check their identity card - even if they have a prearranged appointment (all genuine callers will carry one). Do they look like the person on the card? Is the name the same one as that on your letter? Close the door while you do this. If you are not expecting them and they have not shown you an identity card, do not let them in until you have checked and double-checked that the caller is genuine. Call the company concerned if you are not sure – if they are a genuine caller they won't mind waiting. Do not call the number on the card – find the number in the telephone book or yellow pages.

Only let them in when you are absolutely sure that they are genuine - if you have any doubts keep them out.

If you think a bogus caller has called at your door report it to the police immediately – the earlier they know the sooner they can act. And let neighbours and Neighbourhood Watch representatives know too in case the callers try at other homes in the area.

last updated 30th April 2008

Lancashire County Council Trading Standards, 58-60 Guildhall Street, Preston, Lancashire PR1 3NU.
Telephone: 0845 600 1352 or (01772) 533573   Fax: (01772) 533591   Electronic Mail: feedback@lancashire.gov.uk