POLICE are recruiting schoolchildren in West Somerset as part of the latest crime-fighting initiative to tackle distraction burglars.
Officers and Police Community Support Officers are handing out greetings cards to pupils in primary schools in Minehead.
They want the children to give the cards to elderly and vulnerable relatives, neighbours, and family friends.
The cards are also available for schools and youth organisations to download and print from the force website at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.
They are pre-printed with crime prevention advice and useful contact numbers, with a blank space for children to decorate and add their own personal message.
Supt Sandy Padgett, who heads the Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s response to distraction burglary, said: “Thankfully, this sort of crime is infrequent, but the impact can be significant.
“We have anecdotal evidence of people suffering illness and stress after such a burglary.
“We hope this initiative will remind the more vulnerable members of our community of the simple security steps they can take to deter these thieves.
“It also aims raise awareness of the issue among the wider community, and help people play their part to protect their elderly and vulnerable friends and relations from these callous criminals.
“The simple message is ‘if in doubt, keep them out’.”
Supt Padgett said a few simple steps could help deter would-be burglars.
He said people should make sure good quality locks were fitted to their home, and they should secure the doors and windows of rooms when they were not in them.
A door chain should be used, and ID should be requested before anybody was allowed in.
All genuine callers from the utility companies would expect to have their ID checked and many offered special password schemes so people would know callers were who they said they were.
Supt Padgett said people should not leave the door open when they expected visitors. He said: “If you have mobility problems, ask the council, Age Concern, or other agencies for advice on having an intercom door buzzer fitted.
“Keep the back door and windows locked so there is no chance of an accomplice sneaking in while you are occupied at the front door.
“Do no't leave strangers alone in your home. If you are at all unsure, call the police. If you do not feel able to call the police, tell somebody immediately so they can report any incident, even if you feel embarrassed - you do not want this to happen to anybody else.
“I would also ask people who have elderly relatives, friends, or neighbours to play their part.
“Check on them. Make sure their homes are secure, and if not, help them get in touch with the police or other agencies like the council and Age Concern to get improvements in place.
“Once they have security measures in place, keep encouraging them to use them.
“Each time you visit, remind them how important it is to use the door chain or intercom.
“Warn about the risks of keeping large quantities of cash at home and help with trips to the bank or Post Office.
“Help them become less of a target by helping them get work done to the frontage and gardens of their homes.”
Anybody with any concerns about their home’s security can find more information on the police website, www.avonandsomerset.police.uk, or by calling their local crime reduction officer on 0845 456 7000, who can offer advice and refer vulnerable people to the Bobby Van scheme, in which a police-employed workman will call and carry out security improvements for free.
These include:
- Checking and upgrading door locks
- Fitting door chains/door restrictors
- Fitting door viewers
- Installing window locks
- Fitting battery alarms to doors and vulnerable areas
- Supplying personal attack alarms
A NUMBER of beat surgeries are being attending during April by Police Community Support Officer David Rowe, where the public can meet him to discuss local issues.
