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Background

Distraction Burglary home page

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This page contains historical archive information on how the Home Office began its work on tackling distraction burglary.

The problem

In the year to April 2005, there were 12,961 reported incidents of distraction burglary across England and Wales although estimates suggest that the real figure could be much higher, as many victims felt too embarrassed to admit that they were tricked in their own home. 6% of all burglaries involved the use of false pretences to gain access to the home, but this increased to 13% among households headed by someone aged 60 or over. (See figures for previous years)

Bogus callers target older people - the average age of their victims is 81, 60% of victims are women and the vast majority live alone. Typically, bogus callers con people out of cash and valuables. While the loss of these items can be distressing, of greater impact to the victim may be the stress that such an attack causes. It may have a significant impact on the victim's confidence and may lead to a deterioration in the victim's overall health.

Setting up the Distraction Burglary Task Force

The Home Office set up the Distraction Burglary Task Force in February 2000. The need to establish a national initiative was identified by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the Local Government Association and the Home Office, based on the premise that whilst the crime is not classed as high volume, it has a disproportionately severe effect upon its victims. Also, the cross cutting nature of the problem and strategies lent itself to a joined up and partnership response and one that actively engages members of all communities across England and Wales.

The Task Force aimed to:

• pull together existing good practice from around the country

• establish a database so that details on offenders can be shared

• provide co-ordinated advice for victims of this crime

• produce a help pack for workers who have regular contact with people of vulnerable groups

• develop an awareness raising campaign for carers and neighbours of vulnerable people

Members of the Task Force

Age Concern England	British Telecom	National Neighbourhood Watch Association
Association for London Government	Chartered Institute of Housing	Operation Liberal
Association of British Insurers	Crime Concern	Operation Litotes
Association of Chief Police Officers	Crimestoppers	Severn Trent Water Ltd
Anchor Housing	Help the Aged	SOLACE
British Bankers Association	Local Government Association	Trading Standards Institute
British Gas	Metropolitan Police Service	Victim Support

The Task Force ceased its operation in 2004, having successfully achieved its aims.

Achievements

Partnership working

The Task Force brought together a wide range of partners. Utility companies such as British Gas, WaterUK and the Electricity Association had worked alongside representatives from statutory agencies such as the police, local government and central government agencies including members such as the Trading Standards Institute and the Chartered Institute of Housing. A further element of the Task Force was the voluntary and community sector. Partners such as the National Neighbourhood Watch Association, Crime Concern, Crimestoppers, Age Concern and Help the Aged had all brought valuable expertise to the Task Force.

Publicity

In 2001, the Home Office launched a national publicity campaign to protect older people from bogus callers. 

	The message of the campaign was "STOP, CHAIN, CHECK!"
	In addition to the STOP, CHAIN, CHECK! campaign, a Good Practice Guide was launched to help prevent potential victims falling prey to the doorstep fraudsters.
	7,000 toolkits, containing expert advice, videos and useful gadgets were designed and distributed to practitioners, to help them make older people feel safer in their own homes.

In 2004, the word "Locked" was added before the phrase "Stop, Chain, Check" This is to stress the importance of locking the door at all times, even when the occupants are at home. The new phrase reads, "Locked, Stop, Chain, Check".

Regional seminars

As one element of this work, a series of eleven regional seminars was run between November 2001 and March 2002. The main aims of the seminars were:

• to launch a good practice guide toolkit: a key element of the Task Force's action plan;

• to help in establishing regional and sub-regional partnerships of practitioners committed to tackling the crime by bringing together delegates from a wide range of disciplines; private, statutory and voluntary; and

• to raise awareness at a more local level by working with the regional media to promote the right doorstep etiquette and the "Stop, Chain, Check" message.

Each seminar covered a wide range of issues, from how the crime is committed and its effects, to the work of the Taskforce and examples of initiatives already under way within each region. The report of the conferences provides a synopsis of the talks and the contributions from delegates.

Download Tackling Distraction Burglary 2002: A National Distraction Burglary Taskforce report PDF (300 Kb)

Home Security Gadgets

Two new gadgets were unveiled, funded by the Home Office. They were tested by pensioners in 23 areas across England and Wales to assess their effectiveness in reducing distraction burglary.

• The first gadget was a door mirror which allowed the resident to see around a door chain more easily. These allowed residents to identify unknown callers whilst still using a chain.

• The second gadget was an infra-red voice reminder alarm. When the door is approached, a pre-recorded message is played, reminding the resident to use the chain before opening the door and ask for identification.

Research

Distraction Burglary has been the subject of relatively few formal studies. The "Distraction burglary amongst older adults and minority ethnic communities" report was produced from two research studies commissioned by the Task Force as part of its action plan to tackle this type of crime. It attempted to investigate crime and victim profiles and to establish patterns that might be useful in future work.

Police recording of distraction burglary

From 1st April 2003, police forces in England and Wales began recording distraction burglary offences as part of the recorded crime figures. 

All forces now use the definition:

Any crime where a falsehood, trick or distraction is used on an occupant of a dwelling to gain, or try to gain, access to the premises to commit burglary. Home Office Counting Rules For Recorded Crime (28.2)

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