Hello Everyone,  

Doorstep crimes can often increase during the summer months, as people naturally look to do household and garden improvements. Unsolicited callers and bogus workers take advantage by offering to do jobs immediately for prices that involve cash in hand.  These jobs are often completed to a poor standard, or not completed at all and the price often increases once works starts.   Please decline these callers and follow these steps:

LOCK – Keep your doors locked, even when you are at home.
 
STOP – Before you answer, stop and think if you are expecting anyone. Check that you have locked the back door and taken the key out. Look through a door viewer (‘spy hole’) to see who it is.
 
CHAIN – If you decide to open the door, put the door chain or door bar on first if you have one. Keep the chain or bar on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep.
 
CHECK – Even if they have a pre-arranged appointment, check identity cards carefully. Close the door while you do this. If you are still unsure, look up a phone number in the phone book or online and ring the organization to verify their identity. Do not use a phone number on the identity card as this may be fake.
  
If you think a bogus caller or doorstep criminal has called on you, or been in your street, report this to the police immediately on ‘101’ (non-emergency) 
 
If you would rather remain anonymous, you can report any incidents to 

Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111 / www.crimestoppers-uk.org
 
For further crime prevention advice go to 

www.scotland.police.uk/advice-and-information/scams-and-frauds 

Or contact the crime prevention team at 

edinburghpreventandintervent@scotland.police.uk 

Please pass this message on to your friends and relatives who are not members of Neighbourhood Watch.