Not all burglars will go to the effort of breaking into a home, in order to steal from people. Some will simple knock and be invited in. Very often while one person is keeping the victim occupied, another will sneak round the back and enter the premises. So always be on your guard when anyone you're not expecting - a man, a woman or even a child - turns up at your door.

Some distraction burglars will be dressed smartly and claim to be from various organisations including the police, council, water board or electricity company. Some have persuasive and inventive stories such as missing pets or environmental surveys.

Not sure? Don’t open the door!

An official visitor should always arrange an appointment before visiting. If you are not expecting them, a genuine caller will be happy for you to phone his/her company and confirm the details or for you to ring a friend or Nominated Neighbour. Don't trust a number given to you on a card, as it may be one of the distraction burglar's accomplices who answers.

Avoid keeping large amount of cash at home

Don't think your cash will be safe from a distraction burglar, as they will know where to look.

Keep doors locked

If you are in the garden and hear someone knocking at the front door, don't forget to lock your back door if you choose to answer it.

A door bar or chain acts as a useful barrier when talking to unexpected callers.

They are sometimes difficult to fit on to a PVCU door, but there are some products that are especially made for PVCU doors. Searching on the Internet PVCU doors chains is a good place to start.

Put the door bar and chain one when you answer the door. Don't keep it on all the time in case of emergencies.

Secured by Design

If you are securing your home home, look out for the http://www.securedbydesign.com. This scheme has been developed to help homebuyers identify builders who have consulted the police to incorporate crime prevention measures. Standards cover estate design, home security measures and security lighting, and alarm systems.

• You also need to be careful of callers who offer to make building repairs or tarmac your drive. Often they'll ask for money in advance; they may even offer to drive you to the bank to withdraw money to pay them. They could then simply disappear, or do a poor job very expensively. If you need any building work done, get several written quotes from reputable firms, then decide which one is best. If in doubt, talk it through with a neighbour or someone in your family. Often a word of mouth referral from someone who has had work carried out is the most reliable. Also consider looking for a trades-person via the Trading Standards Approved scheme.
• Bogus 'dealers' may offer to buy your antiques, furniture or jewellery, at what seems to be a good price. Chances are they're trying to trick you into selling something for a lot less than it's worth.

Telephone ComsumerDirect for more help and advice on dealing with rogue traders: 08454 040506.

You will be aware from various reports in the media of the growing number of incidents of ‘doorstep crime’. These usually involve a stranger turning up at your door without an appointment and attempting to part you from your money or property.

In Bedfordshire, we are introducing ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ (NCCZ) as part of the work carried out by the Multi-Agency Bogus Caller Task Force. The ‘Nominated Neighbour’ schemes and the Bedfordshire Police Partnership Trust’s ‘Bobby Van’ scheme are already part of this campaign against doorstep crime.

The purpose of creating a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ is to reduce the number of bogus callers (distraction burglars and rogue traders) operating in your area.

Research shows that many people who become victims of bogus callers will often be targeted again.

It works!

The Task Force also carries out mobile operations to interview people
working on private properties. For example, during the first three-day
operation in Bedfordshire, the Mobile Task Force interviewed 60 people with

the following results:

• 12 people were claiming benefits while working
  
• 6 illegal immigrants were discovered
  
• 1 person was arrested for outstanding warrants
  
• 16 people were ‘advised’ about their tax and VAT

The campaign is welcomed by many legitimate workmen and companies who feel their business is suffering due to the poor work and overcharging being carried out by disreputable and unqualified people.
This booklet explains what will happen during the setting up of a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ and what it means to live in a scheme area. It also offers useful advice about dealing with unexpected callers and provides you with useful contact details. We hope you will support the scheme and help prevent doorstep crime in Bedfordshire.

Who is Involved

No single group can tackle the issue of ‘doorstep crime’ alone, so we
have taken a multi-agency ‘task force’ approach, comprising:

• Local Residents: you are the most important members of the team.
• Bogus
  callers and distraction burglars are targeting you and without you we cannot
  stop them. You are the eyes and ears of the scheme. We need you to tell us
  when people are in your area, knocking on doors or leaflet-dropping in your street.
  
• Bedfordshire County Council: the lead agency and contact between you and
  the other agencies involved in the scheme and will interview any cold callers
  found in your ‘No Cold Calling Zone’.
  
• Bedfordshire Police: the police will be supporting Trading Standards in an
  intelligence-gathering role.
  
• JOSET: the Joint Shadow Economy Team comprises HM Revenue & Customs
  and the Department of Work and Pensions. JOSET will check all persons
  interviewed are paying taxes and VAT and are not claiming benefits they are not
  entitled to.
  
• Neighbourhood Watch: this charity acts as your local liaison for information
  sharing.

How Does a Cold Calling Zone Work?

Each NCCZ location is highlighted with large triangular
signs fitted to lamp posts. The signs will show the BogusCaller Hotline number.

Each household in the NCCZ will receive a free pack containing a ‘We’re not buying it’ window sticker and other relevant information connected to the No Cold Calling scheme.

If someone starts cold calling in the zone, residents are asked to contact the hotline immediately. The dedicated hotline number 08454 04 05 06 will be manned from
8:00am - 6:30pm Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 1.00pm Saturday.

Bedfordshire County Council Trading Standards will have direct
access to the Bedfordshire Police control room to request police support in appropriate circumstances. However, if you require urgent assistance outside normal office hours, dial 999.

• Downloadable Version of the Cold Calling Zone leaflet - (68kb, Adobe Acrobat format)

Age Concern – a welfare organisation for older people, with offices across the country. They run projects in some areas to fit security devices in older people’s homes. Look in your phone book for your local centre or phone their national advice line free on 0800 009966. The line is open seven days a week from 7am to 7pm. If you are deaf or have hearing difficulties, you can contact the line through Typetalk.

The Bedford age concern contact details are:

Age Concern Bedfordshire
19 Grove Place
BEDFORD
MK40 3JJ
Tel: 01234 216002 01234 360510 (I&A)
Fax: 01234 325888 Email: ianda@ageconcernbedfordshire.co.uk

Help the Aged – provide practical support to help older people live independent lives. They run a free national phone advice line:
SeniorLine – on 0808 8006565.

The line is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

In some areas, Help the Ages run schemes that supply and fit home-security equipment. Phone 01235 473999 for more information.