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New Initiative to Target Distraction Burglars

"I've just been asked for directions to the M25 by two lads, they didn't seem right. Instead of getting into a car, I've watched them walk into my street and they are putting wedges in the doors to the flats where the elderly people live. They are going from flat to flat looking into all the windows there."

These words are taken from a 999 call made into Hertfordshire Constabulary's control room in March 2008, by a resident in West Watford. Within minutes of the call police officers were in the area and had arrested the two men reported. One of the men was found carrying a large quantity of cash which had been stolen from the home of a 72 year old man minutes earlier. The pair had worked together to distract the man by pretending to be from the water board.

Both offenders were found guilty and are currently serving a combined prison sentence of over nine years for the offence. The caller was given a Hertfordshire Constabulary Award by the Chief Constable in February for his actions that day.

To encourage other residents in the country to take similar action, Hertfordshire Constabulary has launched a new campaign which it hopes will bring more distraction burglars like these to justice. Detective Chief Inspector Paul Williamson, from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "From this phone call we were able to dispatch officers to the scene and almost catch the two men in the act. We rely on immediate information from residents to be able to apprehend these criminals and this is the main focus for the new initiative."

Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Teams, crime prevention officers and neighbourhood watch officers will be distributing stickers to residents which are emblazoned with the message 'burglars beware'.

DCI Williamson continued: "We're asking people to display these stickers in their windows to act as a warning to offenders that the residents of the county are keeping a watchful eye on them. But we hope they will have a dual message for residents to report any behaviour which they believe is suspicious, or simply out of the ordinary." "I can understand that some people feel like they may be wasting police time by reporting suspicious behaviour, but we'd rather people report it in the first place and it turns out to be innocent, than not report it at all."

If you would like a sticker, please contact your local safer neighbourhood team. Contact details can be found on www.herts.police.uk.

Police are asking everyone to be on the look out and report any suspicious activity to police straight away. Take note of vehicle registration numbers and a description of any possible offenders. Call 999 if you suspect a crime is in progress. Police need information about what they look like and the vehicles they use to build up evidence to identify and to arrest offenders. Registration numbers and descriptions of any vehicles they use are very helpful as well as descriptions of suspects.

Distraction burglaries account for a small proportion of burglaries in Hertfordshire, however Hertfordshire Constabulary gives the following advice to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of distraction burglary, or bogus callers:

• Rule One: If a stranger calls - Not sure? Don't open the door! If you are not expecting anyone and you don't recognise them, don't let them into your home. Be aware, bogus callers can be very convincing and will often pretend to be representing a utility company; a genuine caller won't mind coming back at a time when you can arrange to have somebody you trust with you.
• Rule Two: If you are expecting a caller: Only open your door when you are happy that you know the person. If you can't see who is calling and need to open the door, use your door chain and ask for identification or a pre-arranged password before you let them in.
• Rule Three: Never keep large amounts of cash at home. If you ensure that large amounts of money are securely in a bank or building society account and any valuable jewellery is safely and discretely locked away then, even if a criminal cons their way into your home, there is nothing of value for them to steal. More advice and information about can be found on www.herts.police.uk.

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