The Police are warning people in Egremont to be on their
guard for cold callers – often criminals who target the elderly and
vulnerable.
Egremont based police officer Andy Watson recently attended a workshop on
the dangers of doorstep crime. Thankfully the number of cases recorded in
West Cumbria is well below the national average – but studies show that the
crimes are often not reported, because victims, whose average age is
estimated at 82, feel ashamed of themselves for falling for the cons.
This type of crime covers what is known as distraction burglaries. One of
the callers distracts the householder while another searches the house for
cash or other valuables such as jewellery. Another way in which they might
commit a crime is by carrying out unnecessary, over-priced building work. A
third tactic used by criminals is to offer goods for sale in what, on face
value, seems a fantastic offer. "The golden rule on that one is that if it
seems too good to be true then it probably is. These are real crooks who
will share their information, meaning you might end up a victim more then
once," said PC Watson. "These crimes are quite rare in our area and both
Trading Standards and the Police have powers to deal with these incidents .
All we need is for people to report them."
He gives several simple rules to follow to stop yourself from becoming a
victim:
Do not accept cold callers.
Fit and use door chains and viewers.
Thoroughly check identity. Real officials and workers will not mind.
Don’t keep large amounts of money in the house.
Look out for your neighbours, particularly if they live alone.
If you require any other information about this problem or have information
on offenders, please contact PC Watson at Egremont police station 0845 33 00
247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 55111.
Support for Gosforth Playing Fields
Meanwhile the good work being carried out by our local
police force has continued with a £500 donation being given to The Gosforth
Playing Fields Association from the Police Property Fund.
The association is a charitable organisation run by members of the
community, and having successfully completed the building of a new sports
pavilion for the village they are now planning to replace the old tennis
courts with a new multi use games area. They have already secured a lottery
grant towards this and have raised most of the other funds themselves.
The MUGA will be a specially designed sports surface that has markings and
nets for games such as tennis, netball and football. PC Francesca Geer who
is the Community Officer for Gosforth, will hand over a cheque to the
Gosforth Playing Fields Association committee at their AGM.
She said:"Gosforth has a very strong community that work together to make it
such a nice village to live in. This Multi-use Games area will provide an
excellent place for children to play safely and we are pleased to support
this."
Success of Army Personal Activity Course
Egremont PCSO Charlotte Davies has followed up the
excellent army day she organised for local youngsters, which encouraged
three teenagers from Egremont and Thornhill to go on a week’s Army personal
activity course last month.
Jamie Forrester, Wayne Richardson and Aaron Newton attended the course, and
two of the lads are intending to join the forces as a result.
PCSO Davies said that Cumbria constabulary would continue to work with local
schools and the army careers office to help young people in the area channel
their efforts and gain new skills, as well as giving them the opportunity to
enhance their physical and mental well-being. Her main aim is to offer
support and guidance for the young people and come up with a problem solving
approach to tackle anti social behaviour.
"Without the help and support from schools, local youth clubs and the army
careers office this would not have been possible. I’d also like to say a big
well done to the three lads who attended the course, and hope this will
encourage more young people to seek a career in the armed forces."