Offenders will use deception in an attempt to trick their way into a property. Once an offender has gained access they will distract the victim with a fictitious story while another offender enters the house through an insecure door.
Common stories offenders use includes claiming to be from the water board and asking the victim to run their taps while the offenders search the property, claiming to be from an electric company and needing to read the meter or claiming that they have lost a pet and need to search the rear garden.
Some offenders will even use children in an attempt to trick residents out of their property.
In most cases offenders prey on the most vulnerable members of the community where feeling of insecurity can leave the victims devastated.
Residents are advised to:
- not to open the door to expected callers.
- check the ID of any unexpected callers, and if in any doubt contact the company from which they claim to represent.
- if you know of an elderly resident (whether the resident is a relative or a neighbour) who may be vulnerable to a distraction burglary or rouge traders, Bedfordshire Police and Neighbourhood Watch run a Nominated Neighbours scheme. If an unexpected caller knocks on the door, the residents can show a yellow card which instructs the caller to visit a nominated neighbour. The neighbour can then check the callers ID and return to the house with them . Only a genuine caller will bother to visit the nominated neighbour. Find more about door step burglaries and the nominated neighbour’s scheme.