Riversmead residents clamp down on bogus callers

Published by SRedford for Network Housing Group Limited in Housing and also in Communities

We are all aware that bogus callers exist and target vulnerable people, but would you know what to do when faced by one?

Following visits by members of the Hertford and District University of the Third Age (U3A), residents of Riversmead’s older persons’ housing schemes now have the confidence to question anyone wishing to enter their home without having booked a prior appointment. A series of role plays were presented, to raise awareness of how distraction burglars operate.

The University of the Third Age is an education charity and an international organisation which aims to encourage and enable older people, no longer in full-time paid employment. By helping each other to share their knowledge, skills, interests and experiences, the charity hopes to demonstrate the benefits and enjoyment to be gained and the new horizons to be discovered in learning throughout life.

The presentations saw 16 U3A members acting out 10 different scenarios, which demonstrated typical examples of how bogus callers may behave. The team created a living room with front door and half of the scenes saw the burglar successfully enter the property, whilst the other half saw the caller refused entry after the resident followed some simple steps to verify their identity. Accompanying sign boards, highlighting key points relating to the play, helped to emphasise the messages within the performance.

Colin Clare, Crime Prevention Officer covering East Herts and Broxbourne, attended some of the sessions to reiterate the importance of staying safe in your home. 

A contacts card, prepared by the U3A, was handed out at the end of each event, on which residents can record the telephone numbers of all their utility suppliers, for the purpose of verifying a caller’s identity if unsure.

Graham Cartwright, a resident at Gosselin House, said of the event: “The U3A captured our vulnerability as elderly people in such situations perfectly. Their thought provoking performances, which acted out real life scenarios, were a really good way of showing us how to avoid finding ourselves in tricky situations and raise our awareness. An enjoyable day was had by all and I wanted to thank the U3A and Riversmead for this experience.”

www.riversmead.org.uk

A member of Network Housing Group www.networkhg.org.uk