Safer Neighbourhood Teams are asking communities to work with them to help beat distraction burglars who prey on elderly or vulnerable people in our communities.

David Whitehouse, Head of Community Safety at Warwickshire Police said "We are asking everyone in the community to play a part in keeping elderly and vulnerable people safe in our communities.

"You can do this in a number of ways."

"Firstly by keeping an eye out for any door to door callers in your local neighbourhood and reporting them to the police if you feel they are acting suspiciously."

Distraction burglars often work with others, so you may notice two or three people approaching a property at the same time. One of them will knock on the door and make an excuse to come in such as checking the water, gas or electricity. They will distract the householder whilst a second offender, who the victim has not seen, enters the property to search for cash and valuables. They may also enter a property via an unlocked door, so please keep your doors locked even during the day. Distraction burglars do not look like thieves and sometimes say they are from the police or council. To help deceive you, they are often smartly dressed.

Another way you can help if you are a relative, carer or friend of an elderly or vulnerable neighbour is by offering to be their ?nominated neighbour" and explaining this initiative to them.

The nominated neighbour scheme works because the elderly or vulnerable resident does not have to answer the door to any callers they do not know. Instead they hold a Nominated Neighbour card available FREE from all police stations, to the window directing the caller to their nominated neighbour who will check the callers identity out on their behalf. Any genuine caller will be happy to verify their identity with the neighbour and any bogus caller won't bother to call.

The vulnerable person should be encouraged to use the card at a closed window and not open the door, the card must not be permanently exhibited in the window."

Police remind householders to always use the Doorstep Code for uninvited callers ? Always put the security chain on the door before opening it ? Ask the caller who they are and where they are from ? Ask to see some form of identification - take the card from them and examine it ? Check with the company who they claim to be from, using a telephone number out of the telephone directory, not the number on the card, as this could be answered by an accomplice ? If you have any doubts tell the caller you want to make an appointment for them to call back at a more convenient time - when you will be able to have a friend or relative with you. Genuine callers will understand and will be happy to comply with these arrangements ? You do not have to let a stranger into your home - even if they claim it Is an emergency

EXAMPLES OF RECENT INCIDENTS INCLUDE

Incident 621 of 24 January At approximately 1700 hours on 24 January an elderly female in Whitehouse Crescent, Nuneaton answered the door to two males who stated they were from the water board. They said a neighbour had reported a leak and they needed to turn the water off. The occupant let them in and one male went into the kitchen and the second upstairs. The victim later found the bedrooms had been searched and jewellery and cash were missing. The offenders are described as white males, under 30 years old with irish accents.

Incident 565 of 24 January At an unspecified time on Monday 21 January in Springfields, Coleshill, an elderly female answered the door to two males claiming to be from the water board. One male was at the door and the second was in the garden. She told the males to go away.

Incident 423 of 24 January At approximately 17.30 hours on 23 January a black male knocked on the door of a property in Ravenswood Hill, Coleshill asking to read the gas meter. The female occupant told him she did not have gas in the property and the male walked off. The male is described as black, aged in his mid 40's, of average height and build.

If you can help police with their enquiries into any of these incidents, please contact CID on 01926 415000. You can also provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.