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Dear Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, Did you see the recent Cheshire Alert message from your Crime Prevention Officer? We are trying to provide people with information to help protect themselves from becoming a victim of a doorstep crime. Please follow the advice below: Keeping your doors locked- offenders sometimes work together - one keeps you distracted at the front of the house whilst the other enters via the back door.
- if you are not sure who is at your door, don’t open it! Speak to unannounced visitors through a window if possible.
Bogus callers invade personal space and intimidate people to gain entry. Do not feel obliged to answer to any unwanted visitors, you can choose not to engage.Don’t be drawn in by stories which create panic, some callers might ask you to contact the emergency service as there has been an incident. If this happens assist them with the door closed.Telephone a neighbour or friend to come and check out the visitor before opening the door. Letting an unexpected visitor know that you have support coming to assist will often deter people with malicious intentions.Ask for ID and call the company the visitor claims to be from. i.e. utilities: call a number you already have on your bill or from a directory. If they are a genuine caller, they won’t mind you completing these checks. Never ring a number the bogus caller provides!If you’re still not sure, ask the visitor to leave and tell them to make a written appointment so you can arrange for someone to be with you for the pre-arranged appointment. You can arrange with service providers a personal password should they need to make a house call to you i.e. gas, water or electricity. You can find the information on how to set this up on your bill, if not give them a call to arrange this. If you feel threatened at any time or feel you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you suspect a bogus caller has visited you, even if you did not let them in, call the Police on 101, we need to know! Can you please share this information with your local Neighbourhood Watch members, family, and friends. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to keeping your community safe. Kind regards, Crime Prevention Team It is important to us that we know about the issues that cause you concern. We have set up a survey where you can tell us about the things you would like us to focus on in your area. Resident's voice | Cheshire Constabulary |
