Doorstep Crime

This offence is also known as Distraction Burglary and is thought to be the most under reported crime in the UK. Under reporting of this crime is common for a number of reasons including:

EMBARRASSMENT - how could they have allowed themselves to be conned in such a way? “The person seemed so genuine” is often said.

FEAR OR IMTIMIDATION - the offender may have added pressure on the older person not to tell anyone. Victims may fear losing their independent living.
NOT AWARE THAT THEY ARE A VICTIM - Often victims do not realise something has been taken, for hours, days, weeks or even months. In such cases they are more likely to question their own judgement and memory rather than admit to being a victim.
A BELIEF THAT REPORTING THE CRIME IS FUTILE - feelings of great loss and powerlessness often ensue. These are compounded by emotions generated from other living events; a recent bereavement may take up all spare emotional capacity. As a result victims often think it is pointless and unnecessary to report the incident, and in many cases to even mention it to friends or relatives.

In February 2000 the Home Office set up National Distraction Burglary Task Force, this included representatives from the voluntary and private sector, local authorities and the police. The task force set itself the following aims: “To tackle distraction burglary and thereby improve the quality of life of vulnerable communities through a co-ordinated national partnership initiative within England & Wales” More information on the work of the Task Force is available at Research carried out by the task force produced a victim profile deatiled below

VICTIM PROFILE:

77% of the victims were female
23% were males
74% of victims lived alone
26% lived with someone
12% lived in sheltered accommodation

The average victim is known to be a single white female aged 81 living alone.

HOW DO THE OFFENDERS OPERATE

They travel the country, choosing locations with high density of older residents or mixed communities within easy access of main or arterial roads. Surveillance information gathered suggests ten and sometimes hundreds of miles are travelled between offences. Offenders move on following a concentrated period of offending, this constant movement by the offenders makes detection difficult.

WHO DO OFFENDERS WORK WITH?

Offenders have a network of connections .There is a close relationship with the so-called “prop men” - property repairers who trick people into parting with large sums of money, and distraction burglary. These offenders are known to sell on victim details to each other for a set price, or a share of the profits. In some areas of the country chalk marks are left outside premises to indicate a successful con, or to identify properties inhabited by older vulnerable people.
Anecdotal information also suggests that prolific offenders often learnt their skills from their parents during childhood.

HOW DO OFFENDERS CARRY OUT THEIR CRIMES:

Offenders adjust their method of gaining entry to suit the local environment. One example would be that, having identified their street or area, offenders will look to see if any road or cabling works ere being undertaken. They then visit the homes selected, professing to be working for such companies operating in the area, often pointing to the companies van, by way of seeking endorsement.. A panic situation is then created linked to the ongoing work, and entry to the house is then requested on an urgent basis. Offenders use psychological tactics and use their authoritative stance to gain entry. Offenders are sophisticated in their searching methods and attuned to the thinking patterns of their victim.

As people become older, their visual and physical impairment also increases. Often, although not always, premises are identifiable through visible signs of neglect- the style of décor, and the state of repair and maintenance. Some offenders are known to sniff through the letter box of potential victims homes.Offenders will also target homes with visible signs of infirmity, for example handrails or ramps.

CONCLUSIONS:

The home office task force completed its 20 pilots (ten in the north and ten in the south) on tackling this crime in 2002, and produced its crime prevention report and recommendations the same year.