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Chronicle cracks down on bogus callers

A campaign to crack down on bogus callers has been launched by the Essex Chronicle.

Together with Essex Police and Essex Trading Standards, the paper aims to make people more aware of how they can avoid being a target.

Within the term ‘bogus caller’ there are two distinct issues – the distraction burglary, where someone claims to be an official to get into into the home.

The other is callers who offer to do odd jobs and then demand cash, sometimes even driving an elderly person to their bank so that they can draw out money to pay.

During the past year almost 300 ‘bogus caller’ offences were committed in Essex, with the majority of victims being female, aged 60-plus and living alone.

The Chronicle’s editorial director, Stuart Rawlins said: “These despicable crimes which prey on a community’s most vulnerable members must be stamped out.

“The Essex Chronicle hopes that by raising awareness of all the issues surrounding these crimes people will be encouraged to be on the alert.”

As part of the campaign the paper has printed a list of doorstep do’s and don’ts which includes checking the identity of a caller and not believing any “scare stories” callers may try to tell you.

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