Burglars who trick their way into houses and target the elderly and vulnerable are the targets of a national police campaign that starts today.
'Not Sure?...Don't Open The Door' is the message at the heart of Operation Liberal's public awareness campaign against distraction burglars.
The campaign, sponsored by the Energy Retail Association (ERA), aims to make people aware of the tactics used by distraction burglars and how they can prevent themselves from becoming potential victims.
A distraction burglary is defined as where one or more offenders trick or distract an occupant in order to gain entry to the premises before committing burglary.
Deputy Chief Constable Peter Goodman, who is the DCC for collaboration in the East Midlands and the Association of Chief Police Officer's Lead for Operation Liberal says:
"This type of crime is despicable; victims of distraction burglary can suffer terribly both emotionally and physically.
"When you consider the average age of a victim is 81-years- old, you can understand why many suffer a decline in health afterwards and why it can seriously affect their trust and faith in people.
"In 2009 between Jan 1st-Dec 31st there were 8,057 distraction burglary offences reported to police across England and Wales, which shows a 13% reduction compared with 9223 reported offences during 2008. This campaign aims to reduce the number of potential victims still further, ensuring the public are equipped with crime prevention advice. "
Home Office Minister Alan Campbell, supports the campaign:
"Burglary has fallen 54 per cent since 1997 and we are determined to take action against those who prey on the most vulnerable members of our community, which is why we have taken action with a £15 million package of support. Most recently we launched a national campaign providing simple practical advice on how to deal with bogus callers.
"But it is vital people remember to check the identity of any stranger who calls at their home, genuine callers will not mind waiting. Help and support is available from the police, local authorities, and utility companies so please make sure you use it."
The campaign is being launched in the East Midlands region, where Operation Liberal is based. All police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland co-ordinate the investigation of distraction burglaries through Operation Liberal, which is a national unit that analyses intelligence and maintains a database of crimes, offenders, vehicles, forensic information and images.
This collaborative approach solves more crimes and leads to heavier sentences for criminals. Operation Liberal works with many partner agencies including the Home Office, Water UK, Trading Standards, Crimestoppers and the Energy Retail Association who represent Great Britain's major electricity and gas suppliers.
The campaign will see the roll out of posters to police forces which feature four elderly models and depict commonly used methods of distraction burglary.
The posters will be placed at hearts of communities such as Post Offices, doctors' surgeries, places of worship, community centres, bingo halls, charity shops, newsagents and hospitals. Over 550 buses will also carry the posters across the East Midlands as part of the regional campaign.
Forces will also receive newly designed Distraction Burglary Victim Information leaflets containing useful contacts and crime prevention advice, to be given to all victims of distraction burglary.
The leaflet will also contain information about how to sign up to your energy supplier's Priority Service Register and Password Scheme by calling the Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99).
This is a free phone advice and information service run by the Energy Retail Association.
Julian Anderton, Head of Operations for the Energy Retail Association comments:"Distraction burglary is an abhorrent crime, and the energy industry is committed to supporting Operation Liberal - to educate communities and support victims of this crime. Everyone has the right to feel safe, and to know that callers to their home are legitimate.
"By calling the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99, elderly residents can ask about joining their energy supplier's Priority Service Register, and sign up to the Password Scheme which will help households identify legitimate visitors from their energy supplier."
The Energy Retail Association works closely with government, charities and other organisations to ensure a co-ordinated approach to dealing with industry and consumer issues including tackling fuel poverty and protecting vulnerable customers, energy efficiency and ensuring good sales practice through the Energy Sure Code.
One person who knows how devastating it can be to be a victim of distraction burglary is 83-year-old Bernard Annable from Derby.
He believes raising awareness of distraction burglaries is a good idea: "My wife and I have worked all our lives; I worked at Bemrose Printers for over 35 years. We put money aside to make sure that when we died our funerals would be paid for since we don't have any children. We kept the money we saved in the house.
"In January this year my wife and I were sitting at home one afternoon when some men called at our house saying they were from the council and needed to check the water pressure.
"I let them in, I wish I hadn't because they weren't from the council at all, they stole our life savings, every penny of it.
"I don't know what we'll do now, we only get a small pension to live on and our savings have all gone. I hadn't heard of distraction burglary before this happened to us, if I had seen one of these posters, I don't think I'd have let them in, I'd have been wise to them.
I don't keep cash at home anymore. The police have been really good, but this has really shaken us up".
Anyone with information about distraction burglars can call Derbyshire police on 0345 123 33 33 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency always call 999.
