Archive Council News

15.09.05

New Cold Calling Protocol in Fight Against Bogus Callers

Wrexham Council’s Housing & Public Protection Department, North Wales Police and Dee Valley Water are jointly launching the National Doorstep Cold Calling Protocol in the Wrexham County Borough area on 15 September 2005. The aim is to give improved protection to vulnerable people and to impede the activities of unscrupulous bogus callers who carry out burglaries.

The Protocol has been developed by the National Distraction Burglary Task Force with support from the Home Office. Common ploys used by bogus callers to gain access to premises can include impersonating Council officials or employees of utility companies. The Protocol aims to make it more difficult for people to use this tactic.

From now on and wherever possible, Council officials and Dee Valley Water employees will make appointments and avoid calling unannounced. On any home visit to a vulnerable person, staff will hand over their identification card and encourage them to compare the photograph on the card and to check their identity before entering their house. Bogus callers are unlikely to hand over an identity card bearing their photograph and fingerprints. If anyone is suspicious about a caller claiming to be from the Council or Dee Valley Water, they should telephone the number on the back of the card to check the caller’s identity.

A genuine caller will not mind waiting while their identity is checked. But they should not be allowed into the house house and the door should be kept locked or on the security chain while the check is carried out.

The implementation of the Cold Calling Protocol is the latest measure being introduced by the Council to tackle doorstep crime. Thousands of information packs have already been distributed to vulnerable persons. A ‘Safe in the Home Scheme’ has also been introduced which entitles some residents to a free security upgrade of their property. Police and Trading Standards also carry out joint exercises to check the identities of door to door traders operating in the Wrexham area.

Wrexham's Chief Housing and Public Protection Officer, Andy Lewis, said:

"It is increasingly important that the most vulnerable amongst us are protected from the types of distraction burglaries and bogus callers that have been highlighted recently. The protocol will reassure residents that the caller is genuine and that they will not mind waiting while their identity is checked"

Constable Pete Barrett, Community Safety Officer, said:

"We take this type of crime extremely seriously and the Cold Calling Protocol is a another step towards making it more difficult for these criminals to carry out these cruel offences"

Managing Director of Dee Valley Water, Mr Brynley Bellis, said:

"Dee Valley Water is committed to protecting its customers and recognises that some criminals specialise in targeting elderly and vulnerable householders by pretending to be on water company business to trick their way in. This is a common form of distraction burglary; therefore, we welcome the opportunity to sign up for the "National Cold Calling Protocol" which will increase awareness both internally and in the local communities. "