If in doubt - keep them out!

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British Gas & the Met launch partnership

Sharp-eyed Londoners are to be offered cash awards for reporting suspected bogus callers to the police through an innovative new scheme launched today.

The new two-year anti-distraction burglary partnership between the MPS and British Gas is the latest stage in the fight against doorstep crooks - as evidence shows that conmen are using children as young as eight as decoys to con their way into homes.

The award scheme will encourage Londoners to keep a close eye out for their neighbours - alerting them to the dangers of bogus callers and encouraging people to report anyone they think is suspicious to the police in a bid to stop the crimes before the conmen can strike.

The new award scheme is part of an ongoing police campaign in the capital which has seen offences drop by 27% in the last financial year (04-05 compared to 03-04).

The move comes as figures reveal the full picture of the crooks conning their way into Londoner's homes every year.

· More than 2,000 distraction burglaries were committed in London between 1st April 2005 and 31st Jan 2006 - a fall of 17%
· Thieves got away with property valued at over £1m
· Most victims are over 60 years of age (90%)
· Offenders are of all ages, ranging from young children used to win the trust of older people to offenders in their 60s

The award scheme will encourage Londoners to keep a close eye out for their neighbours - alerting them to the dangers of bogus callers and encouraging people to report anyone they think is suspicious to the police in a bid to stop the crimes before the conmen can strike.

The partnership will also give out a simple message to all Londoners - 'If In Doubt, Keep Them Out' - on special poster vans and thousands of leaflets, endorsed by Help The Aged.

April 4, 2006