Beating doorstep crime - over 200 arrests and 1,000 offences detected during recent doorstep crime campaign The national multi-agency doorstep crime operation, led by Police Scotland, has been a major success in preventing and beating the rogue traders and doorstep con men. Police and other agencies detected over 1,000 offences during the dates of operational activity, with over 200 individuals being subsequently arrested. Charges specific to activity surrounding serious and organised crime were also libelled and reported to the Procurator Fiscal. Operations Monarda 1& 2, which ran in conjunction with the UK wide Operation Rogue Trader, achieved the results during operations in April 2014 and September 2013. It involved over 600 police officers plus 250 colleagues in 21 other areas including, 81 Trading Standards Officers, and Community Wardens, HM Revenue and Customs, the Department of Work and Pensions, and SEPA. Chief Inspector Martin Rutland of Police Scotland’s Safer Communities team said: “This is a great example of Police Scotland working with partners including local authorities and trading standards teams and the private and voluntary sectors providing proof that we are keeping people safe. It has also strengthened and given us new partnerships and links we can use in future campaigns. “Doorstep crime can affect anyone within our local communities, but we are aware that in particular older people can be targeted due to a perceived vulnerability. “It is far from a victimless type of crime. The effects of it can have life changing consequences on victim’s health and wellbeing, in addition to the impact of any subsequent financial loss. “Some of the techniques used by these criminals are very high pressure and very sophisticated. It is very easy for anyone, even if you are well educated or world-wise to fall foul of them. “There is no stigma or embarrassment in getting caught out and Police Scotland urges victims or their families to come forward and report this type of crime. The more people that come forward, the greater our ability to identify and catch those responsible, preventing future crimes.” “One of the other parts of this operation was the promotion of a new Nominated Neighbour Scheme, which raises awareness and empower the community to protect its own and disrupt unlawful behaviour. The scheme is already making an impact on communities across the country. “A crucial element of Operation Monarda was about raising awareness of this type of crime and how to help people avoid becoming victims of it. We issued more than 26,000 leaflets and had more than 1,600 posters on prominent display in public areas, gave 235 presentations to local groups and ran 43 road shows and community events to get our message out. “Social media also played a part. We had 15,000 hits when there was a multi-agency discussion on Facebook and one of our presentation was to a ‘silver surfers’ group for older people who are on the web. “Operation Monarda has placed a positive and reassuring focus on doorstep crime within all connected organisations, the wider media and the public. Police Scotland’s 14 divisions are continuing to provide a tailored response in this area, along with key partner agencies.” Further information about the nominated neighbour scheme can be found on the Police Scotland website via the following link or by calling your local Community Policing team on 101.
Posted on: Wed, 21 May 2014 11:00:00 +0000
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