PR1864

10th June 2008

Water industry launches national campaign to fight bogus caller crime

More than half of bogus caller crimes committed in the UK are carried out by criminals pretending to be from a water company.

This has sparked action from Three Valleys Water who has joined forces with the rest of the UK water industry, the police and government to raise national awareness of these callous conmen who prey on the elderly and vulnerable.

Three Valleys Water and all other UK water companies are stepping up their efforts to tackle bogus caller crime by launching a nationwide awareness campaign. Statistics show that around 35 bogus caller crimes are committed every day, but it is believed that this might only be 10% of the total number of incidents that actually take place as victims are often too embarrassed to come forward.

The national knock knock! who’s there? be stranger aware! campaign, which is supported by the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Water UK and the Consumer Council for Water (CCWater) aims to raise national awareness, to all age groups to help prevent this distressing crime.

The UK water companies have come together and agreed to:

• a national cold calling protocol detailing the most appropriate way for water workers to approach vulnerable and elderly customers;
• share best practise and information;
• strengthen partnerships with local police forces and other appropriate agencies, including Age Concern;
• ensure awareness and advice relating to bogus caller crime reaches all age groups from young children to the elderly;
• improve methods in which they communicate advice on how to avoid being a bogus caller victim, including utilising customer letters, literature, websites, talks to appropriate groups and the media;
• adopting a national strap line to brand the campaign – knock knock! who’s there? be stranger aware!

Andy Smith , Managing Director of Three Valleys Water said: “Having a joint up protocol for cold calling with this level of support makes great sense and shows a real industry wide commitment to help beat bogus caller crime. This is a really positive step forward for the Water Industry.”

Superintendent Simon Nickless , from the Association of Chief Police Officers, said:  “Any burglary can cause distress however those suffering bogus caller crimes are often more vulnerable people through their age or mobility.  ACPO welcomes any initiative that helps prevent these crimes occurring.”

“Today’s launch is all about encouraging people to ask questions, not to be pressurised to open the door and ask for identification. If you are unsure do not let the caller in and contact the police.”

“Simple steps can be put in place for unexpected callers including door chains, spy holes, uninvited caller stickers. It is recommended that people don’t keep large amounts of money in their houses and we would encourage family, carers and neighbours to check that safeguards are in place.”

“Offenders often travel long distances and the police actively target them through sharing intelligence, including operations such as Rogue Trader, a joint operation with agencies including Trading Standards are proving effective.”

North East football legend, Jack Charlton, Secretary of State for Communities, Hazel Blears, the water industry trade body Water UK, and Age Concern are also backing the campaign.

Secretary of State for Communities, Hazel Blears, said: "Most people who call at your home will be genuine. But sadly sometimes those who turn up unannounced, often posing as a utility company official will be bogus.

"However there are some simple precautions that can be taken to ensure that those who may be at risk are better protected. I very much welcome the work the UK water industry along with Age Concern and the police are doing to combat this particularly malicious crime that affects the most vulnerable people in our communities."

Vernon Coaker , Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Crime Reduction, said: "I welcome this initiative from the water industry. Distraction burglary is a particularly unpleasant crime that affects the most vulnerable members of society. Whilst burglary has fallen by nearly 60 per cent since 1995 we are committed, together with our partners, to driving it down further. Initiatives like this will make a vital contribution to making people safer.”

Chief Executive of Water UK, Pamela Taylor, commented: “It is a great concern of water industry that more than 50 per cent of bogus caller crime is committed by people who pretend to be from a water company. The national awareness campaign and our partnerships with agencies including the Home Office and ACPO, demonstrates how seriously the industry is taking the issue of tackling this hateful crime, which can devastate someone’s life in a matter of minutes. Some never recover from it – particularly if they have lost treasured possessions.

“If you are unsure about the identity of a person claiming to be from a water company, don’t let them into your home. Customers can ring their water company to confirm the caller’s identity and genuine employees will not mind waiting while these checks are carried out. Password schemes also give customers further protection and peace of mind – anyone needing to gain access into a customer’s home will know and use the password.”

National Chair of CCWater, Dame Yve Buckland, said: “ “People need to understand that they are entirely within their rights to turn a visitor away if they feel uncomfortable, or are not happy with the information presented. No water company will insist on entry to your home.”

Football legend, Jack Charlton, who is 73, wants to encourage all ages to be vigilant: “I am supporting this campaign because it is a dreadful crime often with appalling consequences. These criminals are well organised and play on peoples’ emotions. Most people have an elderly or vulnerable friend or relative and we urge them to pass our advice on to them.”

Gordon Lishman , Director General of Age Concern, said: "This is a very welcome initiative. Unfortunately older people can be particularly vulnerable to bogus callers who will stop at nothing to con them out of their hard earned cash.

"Raising awareness of the importance of playing it safe and always checking credentials should help prevent older people from being tricked by these calculating thieves."

Photo caption: Jack Charlton, Don Pape and Superintendent Simon Nickless, ACPO fighting back against bogus callers.

For further information on the BMA please telephone 01782 747123 and visit www.bathroom-association.org or for Three Valleys Water contact Sue Pavey, on 01707 277110.

Ends

For further information please contact Public Relations, tel: 01707 277110, fax: 01707 277213, website: www.3valleys.co.uk

Note to Editors:

About us
Three Valleys Water has been supplying water to the local community for more than 130 years and is committed to delivering a high quality water service to all its customers . It now provides over 870 million litres of water each day to three million customers, in parts of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, the London Boroughs of Harrow and Hillingdon and parts of the London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Ealing, and Enfield. The supply area covers a total of 3,700 square kilometres, stretching from Luton and Royston in the north to Guildford in the south, and from Berkhamsted in the west to Dunmow in the east.

Three Valleys Water is the UK’s largest water supply only company and is part of Veolia Water, the world leader in water and wastewater management. If you spot a leak call the Leakspotters hotline on 0800 376 5325 or email us by logging onto our website www.3valleys.co.uk