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FRESH WARNING AS DISTRACTION BURGLARIES FALL
17 November 2009 - Updated: 18 November 2009
POLICE are to step up the winter war on doorstep burglars who pose as gas, electric and water company officials.
Officers are keen to slam the brakes on the bogus official burglars who bring misery to vulnerable people in the weeks before Christmas.
A recent flurry in the number of distraction offences has prompted the seasonal warning from West Midlands Police crime prevention experts.
Officers say a series of new initiatives are proving a big success in raising awareness and reducing distraction burglaries.
Schemes already underway in some parts of the force include designated No Cold Calling zones and the launch of a Nominated Neighbour initiative.
They have helped to reduce the number of distraction burglaries from 713 in 2007-8 to 557 last year and just 339 so far this year.
Heightened awareness from the public has also helped increase the detection rate for the crime, usually committed against the elderly and vulnerable.
Sgt Andy Gregory, from the force's Crime Reduction team, said: "Education and awareness is the best weapon to beat these kind of people.
"We have done a lot of work urging people to be wary and assume the worst if someone they are not expecting knocks on their door. As a result it's a much riskier business for the offender."
In recent weeks police have seen a slight rise in the number of reported incidents, the latest two the work of the same gang last week in Hamstead.
The approach is usually the same, with offenders claiming to be from gas, electric or water firms to trick their way into the house.
But Sgt Gregory said: "All the 13 utility companies operating in the West Midlands have schemes in place where customers can create a pre-agreed password.
"The message for anyone unsure about a caller is simple – if in doubt, keep him out. If he is genuine he won't mind being checked out or even told to come back."
Officers intend to step up routine patrols in identified hotspots in the run-up to Christmas.
They are also looking at extending the two schemes which are achieving positive results.
The No Cold Call zones operating in Stechford, Sparkbrook and Sparkhill work by making the distraction gangs stand out.
Meanwhile the Nominated Neighbour scheme has seen pensioners issued with cards for them to hold up at a window for any callers to knock next door.
Both have coincided with a drop in the number of incidents.
Sgt Gregory said: "This type of offence is happening less frequently but we cannot afford to be complacent and need everyone to be suspicious."
Anyone who suspects distraction burglars may be operating in their area is urged to call police on 0845 113 5000.
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