THE water industry, including Northumbrian Water, is stepping up efforts to raise awareness of bogus callers to protect people’s property and health. These despicable criminals are people who claim to be employed by companies like Northumbrian Water, but who are only interested in stealing from the elderly and vulnerable.
More than half of bogus caller crimes are carried out by people pretending to be from a water company or the ‘water board’.
An average of 1,230 of these callous crimes are committed every year across the North East, the third highest figure in the UK behind London and the South East.
But it’s thought the number is far higher because only a fraction of incidents are reported, with victims often too embarrassed to come forward.
BEFORE YOU LET ANYONE INTO YOUR HOME, THINK!
Avoid keeping large amounts of money in your home
If a bogus caller attempts to, or manages to, get into your home, inform the police immediately
Beware of anyone claiming to be from ‘the water board’ as the water board no longer exists
Are you expecting anyone? It is rare for Northumbrian Water employees to need to get into your home without arranging it with you first
Make sure your front and back doors are locked at all times
Use your door chain while checking the caller’s identity. Speak to them through a locked door – accept their identity card through your letterbox
Examine the caller’s identity card
Make sure your next caller is genuine – if the caller says they are from the water company, ring Northumbrian Water on 0845 717-1100 to check their identity. A genuine caller will not mind waiting
Look for logos on vehicles and clothing
Password protection – register a password with Northumbrian Water. A genuine water company employee needing to gain access to your property will know this word and use it on request
If in doubt – KEEP THEM OUT!
The water industry’s recently-launched Knock knock! Who’s there? Be stranger aware! campaign, is supported by football legend Jack Charlton, Secretary of State for Communities Hazel Blears, the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers, Consumer Council for Water, Water UK and Age Concern. It aims to raise awareness to all age groups to help prevent this distressing crime. The water industry will work together to form partnerships with relevant agencies, share information and best practice and take every opportunity to raise awareness among the elderly and vulnerable.
Jack Charlton is 73 and previously helped launch Northumbrian Water’s own bogus caller campaign, wants to encourage all ages to be vigilant. He said: “This is a dreadful crime, often with appalling consequences. These criminals are well organised and play on people’s emotions.
“Most people have an elderly or vulnerable friend or relative and we urge them to pass our advice on to them.”
Don Pape, 79, from Newcastle, became a victim of bogus callers when he had his £2,500 savings stolen by three men pretending to be from a water company. Don had been saving the money to pay for his funeral. The great-grandfather, who has lived in his home for 55 years, is appealing for people to be vigilant: “I never thought this would happen to me. I opened the door without thinking to three men who said there had been a water leak and they needed to check my taps. Usually I am on the ball, but I didn’t ask for identification and just let them in.”
Northumbrian Water’s Cara Hall said: “It is a great concern to Northumbrian Water that more than 50% of bogus caller crime is committed by people who pretend to be from a water company.
“We ask people to please take notice of our advice. Letting a stranger into your home can devastate your life in a matter of minutes.”
Durham Police’s Ingrid Wolfe, co-ordinator of the regional police campaign, Operation Strongbow, said: “We are delighted Northumbrian Water is a member of Operation Strongbow, which concentrates on all aspects of doorstep crime prevention and education, alongside the three regional police forces Durham Constabulary, Northumbria Police and Cleveland Police together with other agencies to combat this particularly evil crime.
“This type of criminal tells very plausible stories to carry out these offences so it’s vitally important that the doorstep crime prevention advice is followed and check out their identity before allowing them access to your home and property. Remember, its your home and you can decide who to let in and who to keep out.”