New-look to beat bogus callers

7:14am Saturday 10th May 2008

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THE Droitwich home of a distraction burglary victim has been given a major make-over by kind-hearted police officers.

Two community support officers (CSOs) and a special constable, from West Mercia police, swapped handcuffs for paint brushes when they took up the task. Droitwich Town East CSO Andrea Leslie first noticed the property was "in urgent need of cleaning and re-decorating" during a reassurance patrol visit after the elderly victim had been targeted for the second time.

“Bogus callers and distraction burglars are callous criminals who nearly always target the elderly and/or the vulnerable and often can identify their targets by the premises being in a poor state."

Droitwich Town East CSO Andrea Leslie

"As she has no immediate family, was in poor health and not in a position - either financially or physically - to deal with re-decorating and repairs herself, I approached my sergeant and inspector over possible financial help from the police community safety budget," said Andrea.

"This was forthcoming, along with paint and other materials from Droitwich Spa Housing Association and Droitwich Roofing - and curtains, rugs and pictures donated by Droitwich police station staff.

"Bogus callers and distraction burglars are callous criminals who nearly always target the elderly and/or the vulnerable and often can identify their targets by the premises being in a poor state of repair and gardens probably overgrown," she said.

Andrea, husband Martin, a special constable, and fellow Droitwich Town East CSO Guy Young then set about the upgrade task in their spare time.

"Needless to say, she is thrilled with our efforts. This has not only greatly improved her home, but has also given her a big moral booster and taken away some of her concerns regarding the impression her property initially gave off," Andrea added.

Inspector Steve Brooker, head of Wychavon police, said: "This was an impressive and totally voluntary undertaking by two CSOs and a special constable, supported by the generosity of organisations and individuals.

"Andrea, Martin and Guy played a key role in further overcoming the vulnerability of an elderly repeat victim of distraction burglary by altering the appearance of her home - outside as well as inside - so that it was not obvious that she was a vulnerable person living alone."

Police are not identifying the premises or the elderly victim.