Operation Manhunt is on - join in!

In February 2008 Hertfordshire Constabulary launched an awareness campaign and police operation to catch distraction burglars. They are treating this crime with the same importance as serious and organised crime and are therefore deploying the same tactics. Hertfordshire Constabulary are working with a number of partners such as Trading Standards, Three Valleys Water and Neighbourhood Watch. They have asked Hertfordshire Crimestoppers to provide the anonymous crime reporting line that we are world famous for running.

Operation Manhunt is the dedicated police team formed to catch the offenders. The lead officer, Detective Superintendent Mark Drew stated "These distraction burglars or bogus callers trick their way into the homes of the most vulnerable members of our communities. These are despicable crimes and will not be tolerated in the county; we will use every resource available to track down those who commit these offences".

Mark Drew continued to say that "The Operation Manhunt Team is using intelligence, coverts and surveillance tactics, the latest forensic techniques and specialist technical equipment".

Harvey Pitchford, Vice Chairman of Hertfordshire Crimestoppers says "It is great to see Hertfordshire Constabulary undertaking a major operation against criminals that cause deep distress and often permanent trauma to many victims, especially the elderly". "Crimestoppers has been recently running a radio message across the whole of East England asking 'If you know a bogus caller, who do you tell?'. We want to make everywhere a no-go area for distraction burglars and bogus callers".

Harvey Pitchford says "Bogus callers use many different ploys to gain access and then search for money or anything else of value that they can carry off. If you know anyone that wears, or has access to uniform or company clothing that doesn't appear to be part of their employment, or has ID cards that do not link with their job, you may want to anonymously call Crimestoppers."

"If you know of someone who is selling items that you think are stolen, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. We do not want to know who you are, only what you know."

Hertfordshire Constabulary has secured a number of warrants already this year and carried out a number searches at properties in Hertfordshire and neighbouring counties. A number of people have been arrested and charged. This is all thanks to intelligence gathering and information from the public. There were 12,000 reported incidents of distraction burglary across England and Wales in 2005/6.

Harvey Pitchford says "Your anonymous information to Crimestoppers could be the key to keeping the elderly of Hertfordshire safe. Please make the call to 0800 555 111 and mention Operation Manhunt in Hertfordshire, so the information can be quickly passed to the Manhunt Team".

Detective Superintendent Drew added "These crimes are relatively low and Hertfordshire remains a safe place to live and work. However, we are asking all residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity or vehicles they see, particularly in areas where elderly people live". "For example strangers calling at the homes of elderly neighbours and vehicles you don't recognise, take down descriptions and vehicle registrations. If we get a call while a crime is in progress there is a better chance we will catch the offenders and prevent them carrying out further crimes. We'd rather you report it and the activity turns out to be innocent that not report it at all". If a crime is in progress call 999. There are a number of things you can do to prevent yourself or someone you know becoming a victim of distraction burglary. Please check out the Hertfordshire Constabulary website for guidance.

If you, a friend or relative lives in an area where there are large numbers of elderly people, contact the local Police Community Support Officer who could liaise with Trading Standards and set up a "No Cold Calling Zone". Call Hertfordshire Constabulary on 0845 3300 222 for more information. Three Valleys Water, the supplier for the whole of Hertfordshire, say that it is very rare that their staff would ever cold call. In fact it is rare that they would ever need to enter your house. Andy Smith, the MD for Three Valleys Water stated "We remind all our customers not to open the door if they are not expecting a representative of Three Valleys Water. If the caller has not made any appointment, ask them to wait outside and call us on 0845 782 3333. They will have ID, a uniform and a marked vehicle. In an emergency, such as burst pipes, our staff do not need to come into your home". Please check out Three Valleys Water guidance on their website.