Distraction burglaries on Merseyside have fallen dramatically since before the pandemic but bogus callers can have a devastating impact on their elderly victims.
In Merseyside, there were 12 distraction burglaries and four attempted distraction burglaries last year, a total of 16 - up from 14 the previous year, but a 56% fall from 36 in 2019.
Distraction burglary is the tactic of using a trick, a lie, or a distraction to gain entry into someone’s home in order to commit burglary.
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That can include posing as a gas engineer or even a police officer, or pretending their car has broken down and asking to use the phone.
Most victims of distraction burglaries are elderly - with one study finding an average age of 77.
Merseyside Police have asked people to "stay vigilant" against the threat from bogus callers.
Detective Inspector Tony O’Brien who heads the Burglary Team (Operation Castle) at Merseyside Police, explained said: "To gain the trust of elderly or vulnerable people and target them in this way in their own home, where they should feel safest, is despicable.
"While it is encouraging to see there has been a reduction in offences of this nature, one victim of a distraction burglary is one too many as it can cause distress and shock to victims, who will often have their trust in others shaken by their experience.
"I urge people to stay vigilant and do not open your door to anyone you don’t know, and to check the identity of any stranger who calls. Genuine callers will not mind waiting while you check their credentials.
"Shamefully, offenders like this deliberately target the most vulnerable in our community and I would ask people to take a few minutes to look out for elderly neighbours, family and friends and ensure they are given the right advice and guidance so they don’t fall prey."
Bogus call could have a devastating impact on an elderly person, says research
In April 2020 the Jill Dando Institute of Security and Crime Science published a paper warning that there could be a lockdown increase in distraction burglaries among elderly people trapped on their own at home and "vulnerable to those who arrive offering support".
Research completed by the Jill Dando Institute shows becoming a victim of a bogus caller could have a devastating impact on an elderly person and even affect their health.
A report says: "This offence causes a great deal of distress to victims, who often report feeling stupid and humiliated for trusting the callers and allowing them into their home. It can lead to a serious loss of confidence in elderly people and can disproportionately affect their health.
"Generally, older victims of crime are twice as likely to die or need to enter residential care than non-victimised people of the same age."
Police tips to prevent bogus callers
Merseyside Police also provided a number of steps that can be used to prevent bogus callers:
• Do not open your door if you are unsure who the caller is. Always make sure you know who visitors are by asking to see their identification. Never let people into your property if you don't know them
• Always keep the key chain on the door whilst talking to callers and always check their ID before letting them into your home. Genuine callers won't mind you doing this. If callers haven't got valid identification, don't let them in
• Bogus callers often pretend to be someone official, for example, from a utility company or the water board. They will also try to distract people by asking for a drink of water or if they can use the toilet. Remember "if in doubt, keep them out
• Remember to close and lock the back door before you answer the front door
• It's a good idea to have a viewer or spy hole and a stout chain fitted to all the external doors to the property
• Don't keep large quantities of cash at home. It's better in the bank where it's safe
• If someone asks for your help (for example, if they want to make a telephone call or claim to have lost a ball in your garden) always ask a friend or neighbour, or someone else you trust, for help
* Anyone with information about incidents of distraction burglaries on Merseyside is asked to DM @MerPolCC, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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