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Bogus Callers and Distraction Burglaries

Unfortunately, you can't always be sure that people turning up on your doorstep are who they say they are. Distraction burglaries (also known as artifice burglary) happen where callers get into homes and then steal cash and valuables while the occupier is distracted in some way. Sometimes they work in pairs, one distracting while the other steals, and often people pretending to be water company officials commit them.


According to government statistics, there were 16,000 reported incidents of distraction burglary nation wide in the year to April 2001. Estimates suggest that the real figure could be up to ten times higher, as many victims feel too ashamed to admit that they were fooled in their own home.

Bogus callers target older people - the average age of their victims is 81, 60% of victims are women and the vast majority live alone. Whilst the loss of cash and valuables can be distressing, of greater impact to the victim may be the stress that such an attack causes. It may have a significant impact on the victim's confidence and may lead to a deterioration in the victim's overall health.

Please take every precaution possible to avoid being duped by a bogus caller. Please remember, if you are unsure as to somebody's identity then do not let him or her into your home.

Click on the headings below to view the guide:

	Who are the offenders?
	What to do when somebody calls to your home

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