Friday, 18th February 2005
(PR 2086)
Elderly victims of doorstep crime are to receive extra support after trading standards officers and Lancashire's Victim Support volunteers agreed to work together.
Victim Support branches across the county will now swing into action whenever trading standards officers alert them to elderly victims of doorstep crime which typically ranges from dodgy builders to crooked door-to-door salesmen.
The agreement, signed on Monday by Lancashire County Council and Victim Support Lancashire, includes a commitment by trading standards officers to train Victim Support Lancashire volunteers on how crooks operate.
Jim Potts, Lancashire County Council Chief Trading Standards Officer, said:
"Doorstep crime can be the most heart-breaking types of crime as often it involves targeting older people.
"These criminals often gain the trust of their victims before they rip them off.
"We had one pensioner who was charged £18,000 for substandard double-glazing and another who was cold-called by an orthopaedic bed salesman who took the lady to her bank to immediately withdraw £3,000.
"Even worse, doorstep conmen often pass victims' details to each other so the elderly person doesn't know which way to turn.
"It is one of the cruellest crimes as it can destroy the trust that older people typically have in abundance. It is a major blow to their confidence as well as their bank balance - and leaves them leaving moral support and practical help as well as the more traditional police and trading standards investigations."
Elderly doorstep crime victims are of the generation that does not share worries with family members for fear of spreading alarm, said Pat Morgan, Assistant Chief Executive of Victim Support Lancashire.
"That is unlikely to change, but Victim Support ensures they can at least talk to someone," Pat said.
"We can also put doorstep crime in perspective for them. There is nothing worse than living in fear of every knock on the door.
"The police have always told us of crime victims who may need help - but some trading standards investigations may not reach the police, so we cannot get in touch to offer support. This new agreement with Trading Standards means we will learn of all victims, not just those who have contacted police."
For media enquiries only please contact: Neil Graham on 01772 531095
neil.graham@css.lancscc.gov.uk
Photograph: Elderly lady at the door