Bogus cold callers tackled

21 May 2008

BURGLARS posing as police officers or utilities officials have been conning elderly people throughout the borough.

 

Many dupe victims by claiming that essential work needs doing in order to enter the house and steal their property.

 

Superintendent Matt Bell, from Bromley Police, said: "This is an evil crime.

 

"Cowardly and dishonest criminals deliberately ruin the lives of decent, honest and vulnerable people - people who have worked hard for what little they have and who are in every sense the most undeserving of victims."

 

Police are advising residents to get photographic identification and if in doubt, to turn them away.

 

A No Cold Calling Zone has been launched in Bull Lane, Sherphards Green, Old Perry Street and Homewood Crescent in Chislehurst.

 

Packs have been sent out to residents and signs are due to be erected in the roads deterring cold callers after the Safer Bromley Partnership granted the Chislehurst Safer Neighbourhoods Ward Panel £750 for the scheme.

 

PCSO James Buckland, of the Chislehurst Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "The 'No Cold Calling' zone gives a firm indication to anyone who may be thinking of selling door to door that they are not welcome in the area.