Welcome to the Northern Division

What is Doorstep Crime?

Doorstep crime involves someone deceiving a resident into letting them into their house through seemingly legitimate means so they can steal or con possessions or money from the residents. There are two main forms:

1. Distraction burglars have a range of methods in order to keep residents preoccupied, one normally keeping the resident busy, as the other sneaks into the home unseen.

2. Bogus Callers can be very persuasive, and convince the resident into believing there is an urgent job that needs doing on their property, charge high rates for their service and then pressure the resident to pay for it. They have even been known to go as far as driving the resident to the bank to withdraw cash.

This particular crime unfortunately is targeted at the older and more vulnerable residents with official figures reporting 19,000 doorstep crimes being committed against older people in a year. However because 51% of older people fail to report such incidents, the real number is estimated to be much higher.

What is the Safe Project and how can it help?

The Safe project is a partnership between Lancashire Constabulary and Lancaster University 's Volunteering Unit (LUVU), created after a Home office initiative to reduce doorstep crime. The main aim is to decrease the likelihood of doorstep crime occurring in the homes of local residents, making the Lancaster district safer.

Student volunteers are trained by the fire, police services and LUVU and are able to:

provide up to date information on home safety and doorstep crime prevention,

assess the resident's security requirements,
install spy holes, door chains and vocal reminder devices,
provide UV security property markers,
refer you to reliable sources for a vast range of additional needs (fire, handyman, trading standards etc).

This all takes place in the comfort of the resident's home . The service and equipment is provided completely free of charge and is strictly confidential .

How to sign up…

Contact: 01524 593693 or luvu@lancaster.ac.uk

Lancaster University Volunteering Unit (LUVU)

Alexandra Square ,

Lancaster University ,

Lancaster

LA1 4XX

WARNING 20.11.09

HANDBAG THEFTS FROM LOCAL SUPERMARKETS

Tuesday 17 th November, 2009, offenders have targeted older people whilst they are shopping in superstores in Lancaster and Carnforth, engaged the older person in conversation and stolen the victims handbag from the shopping trolley.

The offenders are described as; Eastern European male, height 6ft, medium build, dark hair aged 30 to 40 years, wearing a dark coloured leather look jacket. Female (1) Eastern European, medium to stocky build, approximately 30 to 40 years, wearing a long coat and long skirt. Female (2) Eastern European, slim build, approx 20 years, dark hair tied back in pony tail, wearing dark jeans, trainers and a dark coloured leather look bomber style jacket.

Older people are advised to be extra vigilant with their bags at this increasingly busy time in the shops and stores.

ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS OFFENCE SHOULD BE REPORTED DIRECTLY TO LANCASTER POLICE STATION 01524 63333.

Beware of Phone scams

A warning is being issued by Lancashire Police and Morecambe and Heysham Citizens Advice Bureau regarding hoax phone calls claiming to be from the Council Tax Department

The details may be different in each situation but the theme is the same.

In each case the caller claims to be phoning from ‘The Council' regarding a refund on your Council Tax.

The caller explains that your property has been re-banded to a lower band and you are therefore entitled to a refund.

The caller quotes the customers full address and phone number but they never mention or ask about any reference numbers.

The caller ask the customer for their card details (Long number on the front, the security code and the expiry date) in order that the refund can be returned to the correct bank account.

Once they have your card details and the security number on the back they can take as much money from your account as they want.

What you must do if you receive a phone call

• Do not engage in conversation

The council tax department would never phone regarding a refund of council tax. They would write to you first.

• Do not give them any personal details – not even your name

• Do not give them your credit/debit card details especially the security code

• Consider signing up to Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 0707 or www.tpsonline.org.uk

Always remember

If you fall victim to this SCAM:-

Consumer Direct for advice 08454 04 05 06

POLICE WARNING

BOGUS OFFICIAL

On Tuesday 10 th November, 2009 at 6pm, a male stating he was a Water Board Official has entered the home of an 83 year old lady in the Ridge area of Lancaster and has stolen a purse and handbag, containing a substantial amount of cash.

The offender claimed to be dealing with a pipe blockage and asked the householder to test water in the kitchen, whilst the victim has been distracted, a second offender has entered the house and stolen property.

Description of main offender; white male, approximately 6 feet tall, medium build, late 20's to early 30's, spoke with a local accent. He was wearing a black woolly hat, with black curly hair showing. A black donkey jacket, black pants and black shoes.

Older friends and relatives should be reminded about the importance of checking who is at the door.

STOP – Is any caller expected? Do they have an appointment?

CHAIN – engage the door chain or door bar every time you answer the door.

CHECK – ask for and double- check the caller's I.D.

IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT, DON'T LET THEM IN and contact the police immediately , give as much information as possible. If there is a vehicle involved, try to note a registration number.

ANY INFORMATION ABOUTH THIS OFFENCE SHOULD BE REPORTED DIRECTLY TO LANCASTER POLICE STATION 01524 63333.

POLICE WARNING

Beware of Phone scams

A warning is being issued by Lancashire Police and Morecambe and Heysham Citizens Advice Bureau regarding hoax phone calls claiming to be from BT

A number of local residents have notified the CAB and the Police about scam phone calls. The details may be different in each case but the theme is the same.

In each case the caller claims to be phoning from ‘BT Technical Services' and gives you a 0800 number so that you can check the information later.

The caller claims you are in arrears with your account and he needs immediate payment by card over the phone otherwise he will disconnect the line.

When challenged he will convince you he can and will disconnect your phone line. He will ask you to put the phone down and try and dial out. When you do you will get no dialling tone. The cutting off of the line is very simple; he stays on the line with the mute button on. As soon as you put the phone down he will then phone you back.

The sums of money demanded are not huge amounts but it is worth remembering that once they have your card details and the security number on the back they can take as much money from your account as they want.

Some of these calls have been menacing and prolonged, lasting as long as one hour.

What you must do if you receive a phone call

• Do not engage in conversation

(BT would never harass for immediate payment over the phone – they will write to you or send a bill)

• Do not give them any personal details – not even your name

• Do not give them your credit/debit card details especially the security code

• Consider signing up to Telephone Preference Service on 0845 070 0707 or www.tpsonline.org.uk

Always remember

If you fall victim to this SCAM:-

Contact Jan Brown (Crime Prevention Officer) 01524 596538 or your local Police Station

What is the Safe Project and how can it help? The Safe project is a partnership between Lancashire Constabulary and Lancaster University 's Volunteering Unit (LUVU), created after a Home office initiative to reduce doorstep crime. The main aim is to decrease the likelihood of doorstep crime occurring in the homes of local residents, making the Lancaster district safer.

Police issue crime prevention advice after sat nav thefts

POLICE in Morecambe are advising the public to remove satellite navigation systems from unoccupied vehicles after a spate of thefts in the town.

Thefts of sat navs have occurred at a number of residential locations in the Morecambe area within recent weeks.

Officers are reminding members of the public that these systems are portable and can easily be removed from vehicles by opportunist thieves – just as quickly as the owner installed it.

Sat nav systems should always be removed from the vehicle and either taken away completely or alternatively locked in the boot and the tell-tale sign of the suction holder should always be removed from the windscreen of the vehicle.

For additional protection, car owners are advised to security mark the sat nav unit with an ultra violet marking pen.

Jan Brown, Crime Prevention Officer at Morecambe police station, said: “This type of theft is so very easily prevented. Just by taking a few precautions, you can reduce the chances of becoming a victim.

“Most criminals are opportunists - they take what they can see. I urge people to double check when they leave their cars to see if there is anything on display and if there is they should remove it from the car.

“Sat nav's should be removed including the cradle from the dashboard and the sucker marks should be wiped away. A cradle or sucker mark on the dash board make thieves thinks there is a sat nav hidden in the car.”