Distraction Burglary
Case Studies Archive
This page contains case studies relating to distraction burglary, transferred from Case Studies page.
Distraction Burglary Taskforce Newsletter - March 2003
This is the final issue of the newsletter. In April 2003, the Distraction Burglary mini site was created and hence, took over the role of the newsletter as a tool to disseminate information relating to distraction burglary.
Title: Distraction Burglary Taskforce Newsletter
Authors: Home Office Distraction Burglary Taskforce
Number of pages: 2 A4 pages (making a gatefold leaflet of 6
leaves)
Date published: March 2003
The newsletter includes articles on:
Future developments for the Taskforce in the areas of communications, partnership working and prevention
The Leeds Distraction Burglary Initiative which comprises a theatrical presentation, a protocol for local utility companies, and a scheme whereby older residents can be referred to reputable building and gardening contractors.
Research into distraction burglary, including recommendations for practitioners
-
Operation Litotes
in which the police are working with partners including the local health trusts, community groups and consumer protection groups to share intelligence to cut artifice burglary. (On 4th February 2005, "Operation Litotes" ceased its operation).
Download
the Distraction Burglary Taskforce Newsletter - March 2003
PDF 640Kb
Operation Litotes
|
Operation Litotes began in April 2002 when Devon and Cornwall Constabulary assumed regional responsibility for gathering and disseminating all intelligence on artifice criminals across Devon, Cornwall, Avon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Dorset. |
|
|
It is a 3 year project aimed at reducing the number of artifice offences, including distraction burglary committed against older and vulnerable people in their homes. Its strength is its dynamic approach to partnership working; the intelligence relating to victims, offenders and crime locations is shared, both within the police organisation (between crime investigation and crime reduction) and with all relevant partners. |
Working groups, including Consumer Protection, Community Initiatives and Partnership Action direct the activity.
Between April and July 2002, over 400 distraction burglary crimes were reported in the region and follow-up information was collected on 398 of these. The findings supported previous profiles:
-
the victims were primarily female (70%)
-
in their eighties (43%)
-
86% of victims were over 70
Operation Litotes became involved with the Government Office Southwest (GOSW) as the Crime Reduction Director recognised and responded to the clear implications of this crime for health and care services, facilitating a link with Regional Public Health.
GOSW funded a police analyst to study the links between crime and health which will involves exploring data systems currently used within the health and the criminal justice systems, documenting the type of routine information collected, how it is collected, analysed and used, and its potential for the interchange between Health and the Criminal Justice System.
This initiative demonstrates the value of collaboration between health, police and community safety partners. To combat this crime effectively we must develop a holistic approach, linking all statutory, community and voluntary partners who interact with vulnerable members of society.
On 4th February 2005, Operation Litotes ceased its operation.
Using musical to target bogus callers
Educating people about how to prevent themselves from becoming the victims of distraction burglars is a never-ending activity. There are a number of ways to make the message memorable - drama is one of them. This article describes two productions that focus on getting the message across.
Trickster
Trickster raises the level of awareness of the issue of distraction burglary and dishonest doorstep traders, provides advice and builds confidence without raising the fear of crime. Through a specially written script, music and lyrics which tell the story, Trickster can unite the audience against the bogus caller, help build resilience on the doorstep and encourage the wider community to look out for and protect those who may be at risk.
|
Based around a main character George who remembers his commitment to his country through his action in the war, Trickster highlights that he risked his life for freedom yet the criminals who prey on older people repay that with their crime. George then gets advice from the local Police and with a clever routine George and Sidney practice the doorstep procedure. |
|
Andy Saunders wrote the scripts, lyrics and music motivated by seeing the impact of these crimes on the victims. In developing a musical his aim is to bring people together to collectively share an experience that will arm them with information and confidence and reduce the risk of them becoming victims of crime.
At the start of National Neighbourhood Watch Week on June 13th 2005, Trickster's Sussex tour was launched at Hove Town Hall. This free show was also performed at The Venue (Chichester June 15th), Durrington Community Centre (Worthing June 16th) and at the Windmill Theatre (Littlehampton June 17th).
To book Trickster for 2005 please call 01725-518760 to discuss your requirements. For more information visit http://www.trickster-musical.co.uk/ or email Andy Saunders at andy@police-partnership.org
Ma Kelly's Doorstep
|
|
A 45 minute interactive play, which raises awareness of Bogus Caller Crime and is aimed at older people and those who are particularly vulnerable, disabled or house bound. The Attic Theatre Company have already successfully toured ~QMa Kelly~Rs Doorstep~R in several London boroughs and it has so far been seen by over 2000 older people and their carers. |
The show is in a forum theatre format involving four actors, a musician and a facilitator. The aim is direct audience participation. The mood of the show is light hearted and includes a song or two, but the message is clear. ~QThis is how to protect yourself when strangers call at your door'. The audience will feel empowered by having the knowledge and aids available ~V locks chains etc, and will feel secure, not afraid. Outcomes and Evaluation have shown in a significant increase of awareness in Bogus Caller Crime in those boroughs where 'Ma Kelly' has been performed.
|
~QIn Merton we have sponsored a series of plays of ~QMa Kelly~Rs Doorstep~R by the Attic Theatre, putting across a powerful warning to older people about the dangers of distraction burglary. I consider they have been a terrific success and recommend the play to you. It is well written, great fun and the audience participate well.~R Doug Miles, Merton Community Care |
In April this year, the Attic Theatre Company presented its play Ma Kelly's Doorstep at seven community centres across Wandsworth. The event part of the Wandsworth's Distraction Burglary Initiative and was paid for by Wandsworth council, the police, Age Concern Wandsworth and London Fire Brigade among others.
For further information visit http://www.attictheatrecompany.com/
If you are interested in staging ~QMa Kelly~Rs Doorstep~R in your borough in 2005, please contact Teun Timmers (Attic Theatre Company) on 020 8543 7838 or email mailto:info@attictheatre.com
Bogus Callers Beware: The Hills Have Eyes!
|
BOGUS callers who prey on the elderly and vulnerable in Blaenau
Gwent are now 200 times more likely to be caught ~V thanks to a new
early warning scheme involving the council~Rs workforce and the
police. |
|
In June 2003, the partnership has introduced a new ~QBogus Caller Watch~R early warning scheme that immediately passes details about conmen operating in the area directly to Blaenau Gwent Council~Rs fleet of 200 vehicles.
Councillor John Hopkins, Leader of the Council, explained: "As soon as the police receive detailed information about bogus callers operating in or around the Blaenau Gwent area they pass that information to our central depot in Brynmawr. "The information - which could be a description of a vehicle used by offenders, a registration number or a description of the offenders themselves - is then instantly radioed out to every one of the council~Rs fleet of 200 vans and lorries.
"Workers scattered across the county borough are asked to watch out for the vehicle or individuals involved and, if they spot them, report back to the central depot, giving the time and the location of the sighting. The central depot then reports any sightings back to the police, greatly increasing the chances of officers swooping on the culprits and making arrests. For their own safety council workers are under strict instruction not to approach suspects, simply to report sightings.
The scheme, the first of its kind in South Wales, was initiated by Brynmawr, Nantyglo and Blaina Partnership Against Crime (PAC) as part of its ongoing campaign to protect the community against bogus callers.
Bernard Thomas, chairman of Brynmawr, Nantyglo and Blaina PAC, said: "Distraction burglary is a particularly despicable crime because the victims are almost always the elderly and vulnerable in our communities who are least able to defend themselves. "This innovative new scheme means bogus callers in Blaenau Gwent are now more likely to be caught and brought to justice. The hills will have eyes and culprits will never know if they are being watched!"
P.C. Iwan Jones, Crime Prevention Officer for Blaenau Gwent, said: "The key to success is for the police to receive information about the culprits as soon as possible. Often victims contact their family or neighbours and the incident is not reported to the police until long after the bogus callers have fled the scene. "The sooner we are alerted to bogus callers operating in the area the better."
For further information please contact Stephen Carr (Community Safety Officer) at Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (Tel: 01495 355683 or e-mail: community.safety@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk)
Last update: