Bogus callers are resourceful career criminals who steal thousands of pounds from the most vulnerable residents of West Dunbartonshire every year. This estimated sum may just be the tip of the iceberg as bogus caller crimes are seriously under-reported for a number of personal and social reasons.
Cold callers can doorstep residents, selling goods such as double glazing as well as services such as electricity, telephone, roofing repairs and gardening work. Most of those traders are genuine but unfortunately many sell poor quality goods and services at inflated prices with very little comeback if things go wrong. There are also more sinister bogus callers who have been known to use tricks such as false identification from utility companies to gain entry to a person’s home and steal from them when their back is turned.
To help local residents take positive action against bogus caller crime, West Dunbartonshire Council’s Community Safety Partnership, Strathclyde Police and Trading Standards have joined forces to launch a Cold Calling Control Zone in the east end of Dumbarton. The area was chosen after being identified by Council and Police analysts as a hotspot location for bogus caller crimes in West Dunbartonshire.
The Cold Calling Control Zone pilot, which starts on 28 July, covers approximately 900 homes bounded by the A82, Crosslet Road, Alclutha Avenue and Geils Avenue, and will expand to approximately 3000 homes over the coming months. Cold Calling Control Zone signage will be placed on key arterial routes throughout the area, prompting local residents to call a dedicated Cold Caller Hotline (01389 772048) if they have any suspicions about the validity of workmen operating in their neighbourhood.
The Hotline will be staffed 20 hours a day by the Council’s Public Reassurance Team. Any calls regarding suspicious cold calling will be forwarded to Trading Standards and the Police.
During their regular patrols, the Police and WDC Public Reassurance Teams will actively challenge workmen who they suspect may be cold calling in the area and offer them the appropriate advice regarding their activity.
To support the initiative, West Dunbartonshire Council’s Public Reassurance Officers will be delivering packs containing simple and easy to follow advice, door sticker and fridge magnets to all the householders in the area to help raise awareness of the hotline and to encourage members of the community to be vigilant on behalf of more vulnerable neighbours.
Lomond and Clyde Care and Repair, who are also supporting the scheme, can offer free home safety and security checks to residents over 60 or those who are disabled. They also offer advice on choosing a contractor, and have a list of approved contractors which is available by contacting them on 01389 734188.
Kirsten Halliday, from West Dunbartonshire Council Trading Standards said: “Rogue doorstep sellers can con householders into paying for expensive, poor quality, and often unnecessary goods and services. Particular problem areas have been the sale of alarm systems, roofing repairs and orthopedic beds. As the sun comes out for summer, handymen also see the perfect opportunity to persuade customers into laying pathways or undertaking gardening work. Consumers should be aware that if they are approached in this manner they usually have a statutory cooling off period where they can cancel the contract without penalty.”
She added: “By introducing the Cold Calling Control Zone in Silverton and strengthening community support, we aim to combat such activity by rogue traders. Trading Standards urge members of the community to make use of the new scheme and seek advice and support before making decisions on their doorstep. We hope that the introduction of the scheme will make a difference and we are already planning to expand the scheme within the next six months.”
Commenting on the launch of the Cold Calling Control Zone, Chief Inspector Ian Wallace from Strathclyde Police said: “Our analysis has shown that the area within the control zone is relatively crime free – however it is a hotspot within West Dunbartonshire for bogus caller crime. The Cold Calling Control Zone aims to raise awareness of these types of crime amongst those most likely to be targeted.
“Nationally, bogus caller crime is under-reported – this initiative, which we hope to extend in the very near future, aims to increase the level of reporting and help make people feel safer in their own homes.
“Our experience shows that the most vulnerable members of society are targeted and can become repeat victims shortly after the first crime is committed, often leading to the loss of thousands of pounds of hard earned savings. By adopting this multi agency approach to cold calling we hope to deter this type of criminal activity and reassure local residents.
“The success of the Cold Calling Control Zone will rely heavily on the participation and support of the local community and I sincerely hope that they get fully behind the scheme. By supporting the initiative and keeping an eye out for cold callers, local residents can really make a difference and help protect their neighbours from becoming the victims of crime.”
Rose Harvie, of Silverton and Overtoun Community Council, said: “The Community Council is very supportive of this initiative which we think is extremely worthwhile and will help protect elderly and vulnerable members of our community.”
Local people are also reminded that anyone in West Dunbartonshire – not just residents within the Cold Calling Control Zone - can use the Cold Caller Hotline (01389 772048) to report suspicions about the validity of workmen operating in their neighbourhood.
