Distraction Burglary
Distraction burglary is where
criminals call at your house posing as officials or asking for your
help with something. They make up a story to get into your home and
they generally target older people. The one intention they have is
to steal.
How do they operate?
- Some work alone but often they work in groups of two or more.
Usually one person will knock at your door with a convincing excuse
that seems genuine or urgent
- The talker will persuade you to let them into your house and
keep you occupied whilst others sneak in and search your house to
steal cash and valuables
- They can be men, women or children and sometimes a combination,
smartly or casually dressed
A genuine caller will happily wait outside while you check on
them calling their organisation and or calling a family member of
neighbour.
If you suspect a bogus caller is at your door call 999. The
police are never too busy to attend even if it turns out to be a
false alarm. Police would rather attend a false alarm than not be
called to a distraction burglary
Rogue Traders
Rogue traders call at your door and offer to do work on your
home and garden that will be either unnecessary or vastly
over-priced. They have no formal training to carry out the work.
Some have links with distraction burglars.
- Do not ever go to a bank or cash point with a trader;
legitimate traders would never do this
- Do not allow anyone to pressure you into agreeing to have work
carried out. If you ask them to leave and they don’t, call the
police on 999
- Do discuss any work you feel needs carrying out on your
property with a relative or friend who can help find you a
reputable trader
- Do not agree to any work or sign anything on the spot
Common lies distraction burglars use
“I’m from the Water Board. There’s a leak down the road
and I need to check your water supply.”
This will never be true. The phrase “water board” is no longer used
by legitimate callers – only distraction burglars. Your water
supplier can easily be contacted to verify any caller – their
number can be found on your water bill and directory enquiries. If
they continue to insist you open the door, tell them you’re going
to call the police
“I need to read your meter.”
Check with your utility company before you let them in. You can
call the (freephone) Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 (except
Northern Ireland) or your water company.
“We’re the police, we’ve caught a burglar - we think
he’s stolen your cash and we need to check your money is
safe.”
Genuine police officers never do this. Some distraction burglars
actually break in to your home and tell you they are the police
“looking for a burglar”. If you find anyone already in your home
who says they are from the police then call the real police
immediately.
Tips to keep you safe
- Do not open your door of you’re unsure who it is. Check the
identity of the caller by calling the company they are purporting
to be from. Do not use any telephone numbers provided by the
caller
- Telephone a neighbour or friend nearby to come along and check
out the caller before you open the door to them
- Many utility service providers like gas, electricity and water,
provide password schemes or hotline numbers for customers to call
to check the identity of callers before opening the door.
- Do not keep large quantities of cash at home; put it in the
bank or post office where it is safe
- Keep doors locked and windows secure. Always keep your door
chain on
- If somebody asks for your help, needs to make a telephone call,
has lost a ball in your garden, needs a drink or request a pen and
paper for example - refer them to a younger neighbour or assist
them through a closed door. Or call a friend or neighbour to come
and assist