Newtownabbey Police have appealed to householders to take a few simple steps to ensure they don't become victims of crime. Bogus callers and distraction burglars can strike at any time and people are being warned to be extra vigilant.
Area Commander, Chief Inspector Paula Hilman said that there appears to be a slight increase in the number of attempted bogus caller incidents, and she said that local police are keen to get the message across that by following some basic advice people can avoid becoming victims of these sorts of crimes.
“People just need to stop and think for a couple of seconds. They don’t need to do anything major, just take a few simple steps before opening the door,” she said.
The Chief Inspector’s advice about unexpected callers is simple - If in doubt, keep them out. And always use the 24-hour Freephone Quick Check service to check out the credentials of anyone calling at your door.
“People shouldn’t be afraid or embarrassed to challenge callers, even if they say they’re from NIE, BT, the Water Board, or even if they claim to be Police Officers. Callers who are genuine won’t mind being challenged and won’t mind waiting while you check their identity,” she told the Times.
Newtownabbey’s Community Safety Sergeant, Brian McKenna, urged householders to follow some simple advice that will help keep them and their property secure against thieves.
“To help prevent distraction burglaries, always keep your front and back doors locked, even when you are at home. Before you answer the door, stop and think if you are expecting anyone and use your chain and spy hole or look out the window to see if you recognise them. Treat every stranger with caution, and if you are concerned in any way, close and lock the door and contact police immediately for assistance,” he said.
“We would like to assure older members of the community that they are unlikely to become victims of crime, and by taking simple precautions they can help avoid becoming victims of this particular type of crime.
“If you become concerned by the actions of any caller, write down the person’s description, note the details, particularly the registration number, of any vehicles used and contact police immediately,” he added.
Both Chief Inspector Hilman and Sgt. McKenna stressed that a simple call to Quick Check will often be enough to put off unscrupulous callers.
Newtownabbey Police currently receive only one or two reports of bogus callers each week, but many other incidents may go unreported.
For more information about home and personal security, or Quick Check advice leaflets and phone stickers, contact the Community Safety Team at Newtownabbey Station on 0845 600 8000.