No such thing as a 'board'
Trading Standards officers from
Worcestershire's Regulatory Services have issued a warning to
County residents in relation to distraction burglary.
The warning comes during Operation Rogue
Trader, a month of action where the Trading Standards Service and
West Mercia Police have joined forces to target a range of
offenders and rogue trader activity.
Distraction burglars con their way into
people's homes by any method, the most common of which is by
stating that they are from the water, gas or electricity board and
need to inspect the property. The most vulnerable householders are
the elderly who remember when these utilities were government
controlled. Whilst in the property thieves will then distract the
victim whilst an accomplice steals what they can.
Peter Holmes, Principal Trading
Standards Officer, said “We want to get the message across
to older people that there’s no such thing as a board any more. So
if people turn up saying they are from ‘the water board’,
'electricity board' or ‘gas board’, do not let them in and report
them to the Police straight away'
“Our advice is not to let anyone into your
home unless you have a pre-arranged appointment and the person at
your door has valid identification. If they are who they say they
are, they won’t mind waiting while you contact their office to
check their credentials.”
Anyone who has information that would lead to
the arrest of any distraction burglar or rogue trader should ring
their local police or call Crimestoppers, the national charity,
anonymously, on 0800 555 111. If a crime is in progress, call 999.
Information can also be received via Consumer Direct on 08454
040506.
