Conmen strike three times a week (From Witney Gazette)

Conmen strike three times a week

6:37am Tuesday 15th January 2008 in Headlines By Matt Wilkinson

DISTRACTION burglars are preying on our elderly and vulnerable residents an average of three times every week.

Last year there were 136 distraction burglaries in Oxfordshire - the equivalent of about three every week - and the crooks escaped with tens of thousands of pounds.

These organised criminals travel around the county preying on the elderly and vulnerable - and it's time they were stopped.

The same group is believed to be behind a string of rogue trader calls, collecting up to £150,000 in just nine months for work on victims' homes which did not need doing.

Oxfordshire Police Commander Chief Supt Shaun Morley said: "The impact they have on their victims, and the thought of an organised group of men preying on the vulnerable and elderly members of the community, makes it a crime we treat really seriously."

In North Oxfordshire's Cherwell district they struck 22 times; there were 31 in South Oxfordshire, 21 in the Vale of White Horse and 27 in West Oxfordshire.

Last February was the worst month, with 26 distraction burglaries followed by last January with 19.

Police are using surveillance and intelligence to try to catch the burglars but find them difficult to catch because they usually target rural areas - and flee before their victims know what has happened.

Mr Morley said: "Forensically it can be quite difficult.

"Often these organised groups are forensically aware and know about fingerprints and DNA and are careful not to touch things."

Detectives are developing a national network of intelligence and have placed a police officer with Oxfordshire County Council's trading standards team.

Some of the hundreds of victims in recent years have been struck more than once. And it is believed the organised gangs swap lists of vulnerable people in pubs.

Mr Morley added: "The victims often feel guilty themselves for having been fooled by distraction burglars, and often feel guilty for being duped.

"But these people can be very plausible and have an array of stories to get inside."

Since April 1 last year, about 50 residents in Oxfordshire have paid out about £150,000 to rogue traders.

Oxfordshire Trading Standards Rogue Traders team has retrieved £21,000 from workers and made five arrests, but received more than 250 complaints.

Martin Woodley, of the county's rogue trader unit, said: "The hardest thing in the job is seeing how these people affect and destroy others' lives.

"We have had times when we have had to call in doctors because of the stress. People want to feel safe at home and for someone to come in and take their money and affect their well-being has a massive impact.

"It's getting worse, from our point of view. But people are becoming more aware of the danger."

• Anyone who fears a bogus caller has been to their door should contact police on 08458 505505.

But if the caller does not leave when asked, or you feel in danger, contact police immediately on 999.

To report a rogue trader, contact trading standards on 0845 051 0845.