24/04/2006
`Who's Knocking On Your Door` - Doorstep Crime Initiative` launch
This new initiative was launched at Riversdale Road Police Club and was attended by representatives from partners across Liverpool, including Liverpool City Council Trading Standards, Community Safety, Neighbourhood Management Services, Supported Living Adult Care Services and Citywatch Street Crime Wardens.In addition representatives from Merseyside Police, Victim Support and Age Concern attended. The aim of the initiative was to provide a step by step information guide and training to other agencies and the public on the issues of doorstep crime.
Doorstep crime is an underreported problem. There is a lack of knowledge and awareness of whom to contact and what can be done. It can include cold callers doing shoddy work, deposits being taken and work not done, overcharging, traders refusing to rectify faults, and more seriously, distraction burglary.
The main thrust of this initiative is for Trading Standards to provide training sessions to a variety of enforcement and partner agencies on the issues of doorstep crime. These will include, but not be limited to, the Police, Neighbourhood Management Services, Home Carers and Street Wardens. Nick Phillips, Chair of Citysafe (Liverpool's Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership) said: "I am pleased to give Citysafe's endorsement to this well thought out and proactive scheme which will help to put criminals on the back foot and to offer further re-assurance to the public".
The training sessions will provide a broad outline of possible doorstep crime offences, the rights of consumers and what Trading Standards can do. The sessions will encourage other agencies to contact Trading Standards with any information relating to incidences of doorstep crime or rogue trading.
Trading Standards will take a proactive stance, acting on the information and making contact with the trader before the work is completed to ensure there are no problems, rather than waiting until the trader has moved onto a further job and out of the area.
Alan Auty, Trading Standards Manager said: "This service has a responsibility to deal with the issues relating to doorstep crime, and we recognise that only through effective partnership working can we successfully protect our local communities. Initiatives such as this bring the right partners together."
Information received from other agencies will enable Trading Standards to develop better intelligence and more effective enforcement in respect of doorstep crime. The training sessions will be backed up by the distribution of 'pocket guides' which will act as a valuable tool to reinforce knowledge of possible offences.
As the scheme develops it is envisaged that voluntary agencies, such as CAB and Victim Support will also be offered the training. Trading Standards will provide information and advice to members of the public to raise their awareness of doorstep crime and their rights if affected by it. This will be through talks and events out in the community.
It is endorsed and partially funded by Citysafe and Trading Standards North West.
Merseyside Police Superintendent John Myles said, "This initiative is another excellent example of how partnership working can make a real impact on crimes that cause considerable distress to the vulnerable within our communities".
For more information on the initiative contact Jeni.driscoll@liverpool.gov.uk , or john.mchale@liverpool.gov.uk
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