Warwickshire Police

Most people who call at your home will be genuine, but sometimes people will turn up unannounced with the intention of tricking their way into homes. They are known as Distraction Burglars or Bogus Callers whose aim is to get into homes to distract people and steal their money or valuables. You should always be particularly careful when someone you do not know calls unexpectedly at your door.

Bogus callers may be smartly dressed and claim to be from the council, the police, health organisations or gas, water or electricity companies or even Neighbourhood Watch. The callers may be male or female and, on occasion, a child may be used as part of the distraction. They can be very convincing and persuasive, sometimes asking for a drink of water, to wash their hands, or for help looking for a lost pet. In fact such callers may use any story.

Distraction burglars often use props such as an identity card or overalls bearing a company logo. If you are expecting a caller, remember to check their identification very carefully against the letter you have been sent or the password you have previously agreed before you let them in.

When someone calls at your door asking for work, help or claiming to be from a legitimate company, please follow the following procedure:

Keep your front and back doors locked, even when you are at home.
	Before you answer, stop and think if you are expecting anyone. Check that you have locked back doors and taken the keys out. Look through the door viewer or front window to see who it is.
	If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or bar on first. Keep the bar or chain on while you are talking to the caller. (Normally, when the door is shut and locked, leave the bar or chain off in case you need to get out in an emergency).
	Ask for and carefully check their identity card, even if they have a prearranged appointment. Does the caller look like the person on the card? Is the name the same as the one on your letter? Close the door while you do this. If you are not expecting anyone and an identity card has not been shown, do not let the caller in until you have checked and double checked that the caller is genuine.

If you think that a BOGUS CALLER or DISTRACTION BURGLAR has called at your door, report it immediately to the Police. DIAL 999 and state what happened.

Try to give the police a description of the person and/or vehicle registration number and while they are on their way, try to tell a neighbour, caretaker or Neighbourhood Watch representative just in case they try other homes in the area.