A guide to stop distraction burglary!
There are various stats showing burglaries happen more at day time, when we are out of the properties and that most burglars only spend up to 8 minutes in a property they break into. We are hearing more and more about a new type of burglary which the police are now calling ‘distraction burglary’. We heard about 3 of those cases last week, 2 in London and 1 further north, which show it is not a problem of a specific area.
Here’s how one of the stories unfolded. A man knocks on an old lady’s property asking to have a quick look at her kitchen pipeline, as he is there fixing a burst pipeline. While this lady let him and walked him into the property, others got into the property, and got hold of per valuables and left the place in no time. She did not even realise this happen much later in the day.
Bogus callers can turn up in different outfits, looking very official, in a uniform or casual, depending on what their story is. They may work alone or as a team. Their excuses may sound genuine and urgent. While one person tries to outsmart you and distract you, the others will take your valuable possessions, and most of these happen within a matter of minutes.
Be watchful of rogue traders who insist of doing works for you and want to take you to cash points or get you out of your house for any excuse they can come up with. Some of these people may have links with distraction burglars. You do not have to agree to them doing any work, and if they do not leave, call 999. Please do not agree to anything or sign any contracts because you feel pressurised. We hear stories of customers tricked into signing contracts without clearly understanding the length of contracts, actual costs, hidden charges, cancellation charges et cetera and also not understanding what service you are agreeing to.
Common distraction burglary tactics used are the following
I am here to take your meter reading.
I am from your water board to check a leakage.
We are from police, looking for a burglar who may be hiding here.
Can I use your phone? It is an emergency.
Can we use your toilet?
And many other ways we may not have thought of yet.
If someone is knocking on your door, here’s what you should do.
If you are not sure, do not open the door. Check the identity of the caller by calling the company they say they are from i.e.,police, gas, electricity, water. Do this by finding the contact details in local directory or in your utility bill. If they provide you a number to call, do not use them, as it could be a bogus number.
- Contact a neighbour or friend to come along and check out the caller before you open the door for them.
- Join neighbourhood watch or local community initiatives in your area.
- Utility Providers will be happy verify identity of callers.
- If you are alone at home, ask them to make appointments before they come in or ask them to come back at a time when there are other adults in your property.
- Do not keep large quantities of cash or valuables at home.
- If people contact you asking for help, redirect them to a younger neighbour or assist them through a closed door.
- Keep your windows and doors closed at all times. If your back door/ window are open when someone is knocking on your front door, closed them before you answer your front door.
- If someone is trying to take you out of your house, always lock the doors behind you, so no one can go inside your property when you are not looking.
- If you are letting someone inside your home, lock your front door behind you.
- Always lock your doors and set your alarms when you leave your property even if it is for few minutes. You can always get us to fit an alarm within 5 days of order.
Any genuine visitors will be happy to wait outside, while you verify their identity.
There is nothing wrong in saying a firm ‘No’ to a stranger.
If you suspect a bogus called visited you, contact the police even if you did not let them in.
Read More : http://goo.gl/V7NrTG
Phone : 0800 193 8727
020 3137 8727
Email : sales@fittedhomealarms.co.uk
Website : www.fittedhomealarms.co.uk
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