Bogus callers advice opens new door

Rochdale Borough Council’s Doorstep Crime Action Group

Volunteers from Rochdale Borough Council’s Doorstep Crime Action Group have formed a dramatic collaboration to tackle bogus callers.

The team have been performing bogus caller scenarios, as an innovative way to educate the borough’s most vulnerable groups.

Older people often experience harassment and intimidation at the hands of persistent cold callers and some have even been tricked into parting with money by convincing conmen who prey on their vulnerability.

As part of the Recycled Teenagers events arranged for the over 50s, members of Rochdale Borough Council’s Trading Standards, Community Safety and Strategic Housing teams, along with colleagues from the police, fire service and health service, have taken the opportunity to portray this serious issue in an entertaining way.

Entitled ‘Knock Knock’, the first performance was at Middleton Arena on Tuesday 19th May. The group performed scenarios that included: bogus water officials, pushy salesmen, distraction burglary and how a genuine visit would be conducted by the Community Fire Service.

After each act a narrator offered practical advice and solutions that could help prevent the older people in the audience from becoming victims.

Andy Glover, Public Protection Manager for Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This is the first time we have attempted to portray bogus caller advice via the medium of theatre. We are confident that this method will prove effective in informing and educating older people by leaving them with a lasting impression about how to protect themselves from bogus callers.”

Rochdale Borough Council offers the following advice for residents to tackle bogus doorstep callers and rogue traders:

• Keep front and back doors locked
• Do not keep unnecessary money at home
• Check through a window or door viewer
• Use a door chain
• Check ID cards carefully
• Keep useful contact numbers by the phone
• Do not do business with cold callers, on the doorstep or over the phone

You should report any suspicions about bogus callers directly to Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.