Clearview National December 2014 - Issue 157 | Page 78

INSTALLERSUPPORT

Call for checks to prevent
doorstep crime
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is calling for
people to carry out thorough checks on traders
in a bid to crack down on doorstep criminals.
This is part of a major new campaign that was
launched as part of National Consumer Week
in November to tackle doorstep crime.

»»The campaign titled ‘Good
Neighbours Stop Rogue Traders is focused
on how citizens can look out for signs that a
neighbour or someone in their community
may be being targeted by doorstep criminals
and encouraging them to step in and alert the
authorities.
Doorstep crime involves
criminals preying on
vulnerable people, often
older and living with ill
health, by cold-calling at
their homes and pressurising
them into
paying

extortionate
prices for unnecessary
goods or services. The
outcome is often botched
jobs on roofs, driveways
and gardens and the
practice often sees victims
being frogmarched
into banks and building
societies to withdraw large sums
of cash.
Throughout National
Consumer Week, community
events took place across the
country to equip people to help
spot doorstep criminals and to
promote ‘Nominated Neighbour’
schemes, which are available in
many areas, while partners from
banks, building societies,

78 » DEC 2014 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M

neighbourhood and older people’s
charities and victim support groups are
also playing their part.
This coincides with a massive enforcement
effort spearheaded by the National Trading
Standards’ Doorstep Crime Project Team. This
includes a pilot scheme across Yorkshire and
The Humber, which has torn up traditional
local boundaries to monitor criminals
operating across different areas, an approach
that has so far led to four arrests and 15
investigations. The team has also launched
a series of training programmes for a range
of partners including charities working with
older adults, police forces and Citizens Advice
call centre staff, and is working more closely
with organisations such as the National Fraud
Intelligence Bureau to pave the way for further
breakthroughs.
Ruth Andrews, National Trading Standards
Project Lead for Doorstep Crime, said, “The
most important step people can take is to not
buy services from traders on the doorstep.
This will prevent doorstep criminals from
getting their foot in the door. If you want
building work done then you should first seek
tradesman recommendations from family
and friends, then get a number of quotes,
check references and ensure the tradesman
has appropriate level of public liability
insurance.”
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the
Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said, “It
is vital that people protect themselves, their
friends and neighbours against rogue traders.
The number one rule is to never, ever, buy
from someone offering services at the door.
No reputable trader will offer their services

in this way. To protect yourself further, ask
people you know for recommendations, take
up references and when getting building
work done insist on a written contract. By
taking these simple precautions you can
protect yourselves and others against rogue
traders and make sure you get good quality
workmanship.”
The National Trading Standards Doorstep
Crime Project is also conducting a survey of
legitimate business to get their views on this
issue. The survey can be found at https://www.
surveymonkey.com/s/FJ6CN7P.
Signs an unwanted doorstep caller may be
visiting a neighbour:
• A van is parked nearby with workmen in,
on, or near your neighbour’s property
• Ladders or scaffolding suddenly appear
• Noises such as banging, drilling, or
chainsaws
• Trees are suddenly remov Y܈