Watchdog aids fight against doorstep conmen

Statistics show bogus callers and unscrupulous salesmen will seek out and target the most vulnerable, including the very elderly and those with health problems.

Distraction burglaries – where criminals trick their way into people’s homes by pretending to be from utility companies, councils, or the police – have proved to be a significant problem across Yorkshire over the past few years.

The road network, particularly in North Yorkshire where isolated communities are still relatively accessible to offenders with vehicles, means the burglaries are often being caused by criminals travelling into the area from other parts of the country.

Last year, a gang of distraction burglars from Middlesex were jailed for a total of 21 years after preying on elderly victims aged in their 70s, 80s and 90s while posing as police officers, in North Yorkshire, including Scarborough and York, and Boston Spa in West Yorkshire

Now in order to tackle the problem, North Yorkshire County Council’s trading standards officers have agreed to back the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Dementia Action Alliance, a group of stakeholders who are committed to improving the lives of people suffering from dementia and their carers.

As part of the push, last week officers have given talks, handed out leaflets and door and window stickers, including establishing No Cold Call Zones.

North Yorkshire trading standards has also donated £1,000 recovered by officers from convicted criminals, using powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act, to the alliance.

Coun Chris Metcalfe, executive member for trading standards, said: “This is an excellent initiative and one which we wholly support.

“Those involved in doorstep crime offending, who seek to rip off the most vulnerable people in our communities, show complete disregard for their victims and callously take money from them for poor quality, unnecessary, extortionately priced and sometimes even non-existent work.

“Anything we can do to prevent this type of crime is an opportunity not to be missed.

“We also need to ensure we take additional steps to protect the most vulnerable, which may include people with dementia targeted in this way.

Nicki Dyson, area manager for the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “The Alzheimer’s Society is delighted that North Yorkshire County Council trading standards and planning services have signed up to join the Yorkshire and Humber Dementia Action Alliance and supported the development of this exciting new initiative in the region.

“People living with dementia are particularly vulnerable to fraud and financial abuse and we need to raise awareness to help support them to feel safe and secure in the communities where they live.

“We are actively looking for more organisations to get involved in the alliance and welcome new members from across the public, voluntary and private sectors to join.”

North Yorkshire Police has been rated fourth best in the country for its effectiveness in tackling offenders who prey on elderly and vulnerable victims.

The accolade came in the last annual report of the Operation Liberal National Distraction Burglary Intelligence Unit.