A major campaign to stop bogus callers preying on the elderly has been launched by the Huddersfield Daily Examiner.

Through its campaign Keep Them Out!, which is being backed by Home Secretary David Blunkett, the paper is making a direct plea to the community to help protect the elderly and stop the thefts.

During the month-long campaign the paper will look at all aspects of distraction burglary, including what drives thieves to target elderly and vulnerable people.

It will look into how thieves target their victims, what they steal and how they know where to find it, and show the elderly how they can thwart the thieves.

The Examiner has also teamed up with Huddersfield home improvement firm Gardinia to print 20,000 special crime prevention stickers designed to be a constant reminder to the elderly about what to do if a stranger knocks on their door.

Examiner editor John Williams said: “We have had to think long and hard about what to print in this campaign as the last thing we want is to raise people’s fear of crime.

“But we are very concerned that many thefts carried out by doorstep conmen are going unreported.

“It can be quite simple to frustrate these thieves, and everyone within the community can support the elderly and possibly help catch the distraction burglars.”

Back to the campaigns index

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]