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Latest News
Door Step Pedlars - Potential Scam
Posted: Sat, 09 Feb 2019 16:18 by Norman Milne
Door Step Pedlars - Potential ScamWe have been asked by Will Ryan, the Police Enquiry Officer for Rutland, to make residents aware of the risk of Door Step Pedlars. Below is the message they have provided:
"There are doorstep callers who target areas offering small household products for sale. These callers may claim to be ex-convicts attempting to mend their ways, however they are not part of any recognised rehabilitation scheme.
Please warn your neighbours, particularly the elderly or vulnerable, not to open the door to strangers or buy or sell on the doorstep. Some doorstep callers may offer poor quality goods at inflated prices and if a caller is not genuine, they may be gathering information for future crime.
Please keep in mind that if cold callers don't get any sales in your area, they are less likely to return.
How they work More »
They may show a card which claims to be a "Pedlars Licence" or work permit.
They may also hand over a card saying they are deaf or dumb.
According to the police, the bag of household products is supplied by someone who employs them. The lads are supplied with a full bag of household products (including the typical tea-towels!) and charged a minimal sum for the contents – it used to be £35. They can keep whatever they make, above this amount.
Usually they are deposited in an area from a transit van and given a list of streets to work. An hour or so later they are picked up and dropped off in another location. They often work from 9am to 9pm.They will knock on a door, offering cleaning items which they know are cheap and of very poor quality; the householder also knows they are rubbish but that is part of the scam. Many people will purchase items and pay them something, just to get rid of them. There have been cases of elderly residents handing over large sums as these lads can be very persistent and confrontational.
The price for whatever has been purchased usually comes to a note – usually £10. The householder disappears to get this – this is when the scam begins, according to the police. When the note is handed over, the lad examines the condition and how long it took the person to get it. If it is crumpled, they accept it and move on. If it is crisp flat and new – they are much more interested and may engage the person in more conversation, to obtain details about them. As they leave they will smell the note. If it is slightly musty – this is an indication that there is more in the property. Those addresses are noted. The addresses of elderly / vulnerable / gullible people are all noted. These are handed to the employer and there is a small amount of cash handed over for each one.
These addresses are then sold in prisons and pubs. If there is a later break-in, the employer expects a further cut of the proceeds.
Police advise that in almost every case of a stop check – the lads have long strings of convictions for burglary and violence. They use the skills learnt during their criminal activity to identify possible targets.
TURN THEM AWAY - REMEMBER if cold callers don't get any sales in your area, they are less likely to return. » Less
Safari Supper - The Result...
Posted: Mon, 04 Feb 2019 13:33 by Norman Milne
A big thank you to all the people who supported this event, especially those who hosted a course or donated a dessert.
The grand sum of £1571 was raised with 91 people taking part. My ambition is to achieve 100 participants in the near future!
I hope everyone enjoyed themselves.
Jane
Rutland County Council Internet Safety Event: Saturday 9th February 2019
Posted: Mon, 28 Jan 2019 14:04 by Norman Milne
Rutland CC are putting on the above event at the Rutland Showground between 11am and 3.30pm on Saturday 9th February. It will provide practical advice for the whole family including: online gaming, image sharing, privacy settings. and parental controls. For further information please telephone; 01572 758301
