Preventing doorstep crime

Awareness training for trusted workers can protect thousands of older people

Age UK Northamptonshire staff, including Domestic Care Worker Sonia McKenzie, [pictured above] attended a Doorstep Crime and Fraud Awareness training session by Reg Burrell and Marilyn Barratt of Operation REPEAT (Reinforce Elderly Persons' Education at All Times) on Monday 22nd November.  In Northamptonshire, this vital, free training for health and social care sector staff is funded by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner so that messages to vulnerable clients will be continually reinforced by a trusted visitor.  

Historically, doorstep crime and scam prevention has been aimed at the victims themselves, with the Police and other organisations using leaflets and meetings to pass advice on to older and vulnerable people.  Unfortunately leaflets are often discarded and those in need of the message may not have capacity to remember what they were told the previous day.

The principal aim of Operation REPEAT is to allow key messages to vulnerable clients to be continually reinforced on a daily, or weekly basis, by Health and Social Care sector staff.   By utilising the existing community workforce to deliver this advice, there is an increased awareness of these crimes within the community and a more targeted approach at prevention.

Age UK Northamptonshire's Business Development Director, Sue Watts, says “Operation REPEAT's excellent training gives our workers the knowledge they need to spot potential crimes and feel confident about reporting their suspicions directly to officers.  As they will be visiting older people in their homes regularly, they can be the eyes and ears of the charity, out in the community, ensuring a more effective and targeted approach at prevention."

Age UK Northamptonshire workers learned about the techniques criminals use to find their victims and the ways that vulnerable older people are targeted by scammers.  We were given guidance on how to talk to our clients about doorstep crime and scam offences and the steps they can take to protect themselves.  As trusted regular visitors to their clients' homes our staff can help prevent people who have already fallen prey to ruthless criminals being victimised again.

Find out more about Operation REPEAT and how to protect yourself and others from Doorstep Crime on their website.

NOT SURE?  DON’T OPEN THE DOOR!

DON’T BUY ANYTHING ON YOUR DOORSTEP.