GMPA launch DVD on door step crime awareness

The Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA), the governing body for Greater Manchester Police, has launched a DVD to raise awareness of, and encourage people to report, doorstep criminals, bogus callers and rogue traders.  The DVD is a new resource designed to support a campaign that the GMP has been running in partnership with Crime and Disorder Reduction partner agencies for the past three years.   Directed and produced by media studies students from Salford University and presented by Radio Manchester’s Allan Beswick, the DVD is aimed at organisations including Age Concern, Health and Social care groups, Fire Services, Community Safety Teams and Homewatch to help get the key messages about doorstep crime across to older people who are the main victims of this particular crime.  GMP statistics show that the victim most at risk is a white female aged between 82 and 86 years old.  The most common method for attempting a doorstep crime was for the bogus caller to say they were from ‘The Water Board’.  This accounted for over a quarter of all recorded offences. 

I have brought a copy of this into the Nicky Alliance Day Centre to show to our members – it lasts about 20 minutes – and is very informative.  One of our members only last month was the victim of such a bogus caller – it is worrying how easily this can happen.  

A copy of the DVD is available from Lesley Allen on 0161 793 3886 or can be viewed on the GMPA website.