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09/06/2008
Also attached – advice on how to prevent being a victim.
Images – available on request.
Conmen claiming to be from the water company prey on hundreds of elderly and vulnerable people every year, it is revealed today.
Essex & Suffolk Water, along with other water companies, is stepping up efforts to raise awareness of this despicable act as more than half of bogus caller crimes committed are carried out by people pretending to be from a water company or the ‘water board’.
An average of 1643 bogus caller crimes are committed per year across the South East and it is believed this may only be 10% of the total number of incidents that actually take place as victims are often too embarrassed to come forward. These are the second highest figures in the UK behind London.
The water industry’s knock knock! who’s there? be stranger aware! campaign, supported by the Secretary of State for Communities, Hazel Blears, the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Consumer Council for Water (CCWater), Water UK and Age Concern, will be launched today at Scotland Yard and aims to raise awareness to all age groups to help prevent this distressing crime.
Football legend, Jack Charlton, who is 73 and also putting his weight behind the campaign, wants to encourage all ages to be vigilant: “I am supporting this campaign because it is a dreadful crime often with appalling consequences. These criminals are well organised and play on peoples’ emotions. Most people have an elderly or vulnerable friend or relative and we urge them to pass our advice on to them.”
The UK water companies, including Essex & Suffolk Water, have come together and agreed to:
• a national cold calling protocol detailing the most appropriate way for water workers to approach vulnerable and elderly customers;
• share best practise and information;
• strengthen partnerships with local police forces and other appropriate agencies, including Age Concern;
• ensure awareness and advice relating to bogus caller crime reaches all age groups from young children to the elderly;
• improve methods in which they communicate advice on how to avoid being a bogus caller victim, including utilising customer letters, literature, websites, talks to appropriate groups and the media;
• adopting a national strap line to brand the campaign – knock knock! who’s there? be stranger aware!
Essex & Suffolk Water’s Cara Hall said: “It is a great concern to Essex & Suffolk Water that more than 50 per cent of bogus caller crime is committed by people who pretend to be from a water company. We ask people to please take notice of our advice. Letting a stranger into your home can devastate your life in a matter of minutes.
“If you are unsure about the identity of a person claiming to be from a water company, don’t let them into your home. Customers can ring Essex & Suffolk Water on 0845 782 0999 to confirm the caller’s identity and genuine employees will not mind waiting while these checks are carried out. Our password scheme also gives customers further protection and peace of mind – anyone from Essex and Suffolk Water needing to gain access into a customer’s home will know and use the password.”
Superintendent Simon Nickless, from the Association of Chief Police Officers, said: “Any burglary can cause distress however those suffering bogus caller crimes are often more vulnerable people through their age or mobility. ACPO welcomes any initiative that helps prevent these crimes occurring.”
“Today’s launch is all about encouraging people to ask questions, not to be pressurised to open the door and ask for identification. If you are unsure do not let the caller in and contact the police.”
“Simple steps can be put in place for unexpected callers including door chains, spy holes, uninvited caller stickers. It is recommended that people don’t keep large amounts of money in their houses and we would encourage family, carers and neighbours to check that safeguards are in place.”
“Offenders often travel long distances and the police actively target them through sharing intelligence, including operations such as Rogue Trader, a joint operation with agencies including Trading Standards are proving effective.”
National Chair of CCWater, Dame Yve Buckland, said: ““People need to understand that they are entirely within their rights to turn a visitor away if they feel uncomfortable, or are not happy with the information presented. No water company will insist on entry to your home.”
ends
For further information please contact Cara Hall on 0191 301 6720.