Bogus Caller Project
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Greater Manchester Police Authority Bogus Caller Project |
Introduction
Bogus caller crime, sometimes referred to as distraction burglary or doorstep crime, continues to be a problem across the country.
Bogus Callers operate by trying to trick householders out of money or valuables, often posing as utility, council, police or charity workers. They may try to panic householders by saying that there is something wrong with the water or gas supply, or that they need to use the telephone urgently.
Some bogus callers may offer to do repairs on your home, or ask to come in to show you products they are selling.
Bogus callers may be men, women or even children, and may operate alone or in groups. They often target older people’s houses, the typical victim of this crime being around 80 years of age.
The Greater Manchester Police Authority Bogus Caller Project has been set up to tackle this type of crime, and has the following purpose
To establish a consistent and co-ordinated multi agency approach to preventing and responding to bogus caller / doorstep crime within Greater Manchester and to share best practice across the North West region.
How does the project do this?
New Bogus Caller DVD
"Knock Knock, Who's There?"
GMPA has launched a DVD to raise awareness of, and encourage people to report doorstep criminals, bogus callers and rogue traders.
Directed and produced by media students from Salford University, and presented by Radio Manchester's Allan Beswick, the DVD is designed for use by a range of organisations including the police, community safety teams, health and social care and voluntary groups. It will help get across the key messages to those most vulnerable to doorstep crime and encourage them to keep themselves safe when managing callers at their homes. The DVD is accompanied by leaflet which offers advice on using the resource to best effect.
To obtain a copy of the DVD, please contact:
Lesley Allen at GMPA on 0161 793 3886 or email: lesley.allen@gmpa.gov.uk
Alternatively please print and fill in the DVD order form opposite and return, with payment, to: Lesley Allen, Greater Manchester Police Authority Salford Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton, Salford, M27 5DA |
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| Recent Bogus Caller Activity |
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Greater Manchester Bogus Caller Network
Task groups meet regularly across the districts of Greater Manchester to make sure that all the agencies are working together to help prevent and respond to bogus caller crime. To find out what is available in your area, a list of district co-ordinators has been provided |
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Click to view list of district
co-ordinators |
Training and awareness raising campaigns
Training is provided to a range of agencies including GMP, Trading Standards, health and social care providers and victim support.
Many campaigns are delivered to raise awareness of bogus caller crime across Greater Manchester
View and download a bogus caller resource pack |
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Report It Now Campaign
Bogus caller crime is vastly under-reported. This campaign encourages the public to report all suspicious callers to the police |
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View and download posters
View and download leaflets |
No Cold Calling Zones
Over the past year, GMPA has been supporting the development of "No Cold Calling Zones" in vulnerable areas with the aims of:
Deterring doorstep criminals from operating within these areas
Encouraging residents to report any suspicious callers to the police or trading standards
Equipping residents to manage callers at their door safely
During 2006, 10 No Cold Calling Zones were established in Greater Manchester, and we are now keen to learn from these developments in order to extend this project successfully to other vulnerable areas.
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Networking and information sharing
An early warning system allows for the sharing of information about bogus caller activity to front-line staff. This system has been successful in assisting arrests, and in preventing crime.
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Conferences and seminars
No Cold Calling Zone Developmental Seminar
Date: Monday 26th February, 2007
Time: 12.30pm - 4pm
Where: United Utilities, Lingley Mere, Warrington
Purpose of seminar
To learn from our experiences of establishing No Cold Calling Zones, and identify best practice for those planning to set up new zones in the North West
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2005 Conference Report |
'Wolf at the Door'……
Beating Bogus Caller Crime
Conference Report: 23rd June, 2003
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2003 Conference Report
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Bogus Callers – Keeping Yourself Safe
LOCK - STOP - CHAIN - CHECK
Most people who call at your home will be genuine, but we know that bogus callers do operate across all areas of Greater Manchester. Whatever trick they are using, by following the advice below you will help to keep yourself safe.
| LOCK |
front and back doors while at home and away |
| STOP |
check through a window or door viewer when you have a caller at the door |
CHAIN
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Put on your door chain or door bar before opening the door to strangers |
| CHECK |
Always ask for ID and check it carefully – keep a list of official telephone numbers by the phone |
| DO NOT |
Keep large sums of money in the home |
| DO NOT |
Employ the services of cold calling property repair companies |
| ALWAYS |
Report suspicious callers to the police |
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Police (emergency) 999 |
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Police (non emergency) 0161 872 5050 |
REMEMBER: IF IN DOUBT KEEP THEM OUT
IT’S YOUR DOORSTEP – YOUR DECISION!!
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