Raising awareness of doorstep crime

Anyone can be a victim of a bogus caller or rogue trader – so don’t let your doorstep be their marketplace.

That’s the message to every single homeowner and tenant in Scotland as Police Scotland launches a campaign to raise awareness under Operation Monarda.

Between April and September 2017, 336 victims of doorstep crime were defrauded out of around £420,000. While most victims were considered vulnerable in some way (54%), or were of pensionable age (79%), a significant proportion were outwith these groups which are traditionally targeted by such offenders.

There are two main types of doorstep crime - bogus callers and rogue traders.

Bogus callers will visit a property claiming to be from perhaps a utility company or a charity in order to gain access and steal from within.

Rogue traders offer services typically carried out to a poor standard at over inflated prices, and may use violence or threats to get payment or consent to carry out work – sometimes they will just take the money and do no work whatsoever.

During the campaign Police Officers across Scotland will be running events and stalls to speak to the public at key locations such as banks, garden centres and supermarkets, as well as events giving advice to partner organisations and their clients such as care providers, groups that support those with dementia, and Citizens Advice Scotland.

In the north-east stalls can be found at:

• Tuesday 22 May, 10am-1pm at Tesco, Harlaw Road, Inverurie
• Tuesday 22 May, 10am-1pm at The Spotty Bag Shop, Old Market Place, Banff
• Thursday 24 May, 10am-1pm at Tesco, Rousay Drive, Aberdeen
• Thursday 24 May, 10am-1pm at Asda, Muirend Road, Portlethen
• Friday 25 May, 10am-1pm at Sainsbury's, Berryden Road, Aberdeen

Chief Superintendent John McKenzie of Police Scotland Safer Communities said:

"Doorstep crime is typically aimed at vulnerable members of the community such as the elderly and is completely callous and unacceptable.

"We are carrying out a wide range of activities in order to reach as many people as possible, because bogus callers and rogue traders are indiscriminate. They will call at any house hey can, looking to con the occupant and line their own pockets.

"The more vulnerable in our society do continue to be the main target for these fraudsters and I would urge people to please look out for their elderly or otherwise vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours – but please also spare a thought for yourself. These criminals can be very plausible and persuasive and it can be easy to be taken in by them.

"There are simple steps you can take when a cold caller arrives at your door, such as using a door chain so as not to let them into your home, or checking their identity by independent means – but if you are concerned, please do not feel embarrassed to report this to police as it’s only by receiving these reports that we can build a picture of the fraudulent activity and take action. Call 999 if you feel scared or intimidated."

In the north-east we will again be working with Citizens Advice Scotland and Local Authority Trading Standards Services to raise awareness of doorstep crime and to promote how the public can protect themselves.

Principal Trading Standards Officer Muriel Allan of Moray Council said:

"Moray Trading Standards welcomes this opportunity to work with Police Scotland on this initiative. Doorstep traders often use misleading or intimidating and aggressive practices to obtain large amounts of money from Moray’s most vulnerable consumers, particularly the elderly. Our advice is never agree to work on the doorstep. Trading Standards rely on information from the public to help identify the rogues. Every bit of information on problem traders helps us prevent people being ripped off."

For further advice, including videos, on how to better protect yourself and others from Doorstep Crime please visit the Police Scotland website by clicking HERE: