Tackling doorstep crime during the lockdown

Crimestoppers Regional Managers Karen MacDonald and Emily van der Lely tell us how they’re helping to protect vulnerable people during the Coronavirus outbreak.

It’s the perfect storm ……. A deadly virus strikes, the country goes into lockdown and we’re all asked to stay at home.

Vulnerable people confined to their homes and thousands of helpful community members coming forward to help their neighbours – often never having spoken to each other before… But - there are gaps that criminals can move into; seeking out the weak links, preying on people’s vulnerabilities at this scary time…
 
COVID-19  doorstep crime scams include:

• Criminals targeting older people on their doorstep and offering to do their shopping. Thieves take the money and do not return.
• Doorstep cleansing services that offer to clean drives and doorways to kill bacteria and help prevent the spread of the virus.
• Criminals pretending to be health officials offering door-to door Covid testing.

Remember: Stop, Challenge, Check and Protect
 

Crimestoppers in the West Country

Working with Bristol Water and Age UK, we have had 10,000 postcards printed to go out to those most vulnerable to door fraudsters across the West Country.
 
We’ve also promoted our message on our West Country Facebook page and Twitter feed, and our posts and tweets have reached hundreds of people and been shared far and wide.
 

Crimestoppers in Gloucestershire

During 2019, Gloucestershire Committee and the Regional Manager built a strong working relationship with Gloucestershire Age UK. A Lock, Stop and Chain leaflet and inside front door sticker were created, specifically for vulnerable people.

The leaflet was designed to give the vulnerable individual the confidence to ask who was at their door and not be afraid to say no. It also provided a space for a trusted friend/neighbour’s contact details, so that they are to hand for a second opinion before anything is agreed or money is handed over.



Age UK Gloucestershire and Neighbourhood Watch partners distributed these leaflets and stickers, which were paid for by the Gloucestershire Committee. They were really well received, and the artwork has gone onto be adapted for other regional work.