Protecting the vulnerable

SEVERAL agencies have joined forces to protect vulnerable people in North Lanarkshire from doorstep crime.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Jul 2012, 08:00 BST

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, Strathclyde Police and Trading Standard’s Bogus Caller Task Force will work together to educate and support vulnerable groups such as the elderly.

LEAFLET

An information leaflet will be distributed by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue who will offer advice to these groups when carrying out Home Fire Safety Visits in the area.

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Edward Mullen, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Group Commander, said: “Many of the groups that Strathclyde Fire and Rescue engage with through Home Fire Safety Visits are also very likely to become the focus for bogus callers.

“Through the community planning process we have agreed with the Bogus Callers Task Force, to distribute doorstep advice when our operational crews carry out a Home Fire Safety Visit in North Lanarkshire.

“This advice consists of a small doorstep advice booklet and an adhesive ‘no cold calling’ label for the occupier’s front door.”

A DVD featuring Still Game star Ford Kiernan which shows different doorstep crime scenarios and gives advice to the viewer on how to cope may also be used during the visits.

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John Joyce, Area Commander of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, said: “This is an excellent initiative that informs residents of the dangers of bogus callers and gives them some advice that will help keep them safe in their homes.

“We welcome the opportunity to assist our partners in delivering their community safety message, and this particular partnership will have real benefits for the local community.”

Constable Alan Mulholland, chairman of the Bogus Caller Task Force, added:

“We are delighted that Strathclyde Fire and Rescue are spreading the message of unscrupulous traders when they attend on Home Fire Safety Visits.

BENEFIT

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“This is a huge benefit to the task force who are always looking for new ways for messages to be passed to members of the public in relation to Doorstep Crime and in particular the socially isolated.

“Strathclyde Fire and Rescue offered to assist by having booklets and the education DVD on hand when making safety visits.

“This is a very welcome exercise which will have a huge impact on potentially vulnerable people receiving any sound advice.”

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