Cameras for the elderly to help foil burglaries

The modern recording equipment will be put into the properties of those elderly residents who have repeatedly fallen victim to the cruel actions of distraction burglars.

The crooks knock on front doors and try to gain entry with false claims. Once inside, they search out easy pickings such as cash and jewellery and walk out leaving the victim to pick up the pieces of their life.

Bognor police have acted swiftly to limit the number of such crimes. But the arrival of the cameras, officially called memo cameras, gives them another method with which to capture the criminals involved.

Inspector John Merrick of the town's police station, said: "Distraction burglary is a cowardly act. Those who carry it out are looking for the most vulnerable people who they see as easy prey.

"They then act regardless of the consequences. They don't seem to care about the devastation they cause to the victims. To the offender, it just seems an easy way to get some cash or jewellery without any thought for the victims or their families.

"Tackling domestic burglaries are always a high priority for us but distraction burglaries are more so because of the nature of those who have suffered."

Ten of the cameras have been bought for use in the West Downs division of Sussex Police. One is already in operation outside Bognor.

The properties chosen to receive the cameras will be those in which the occupiers have suffered a series of the doorstep crimes.

Typically, the crooks return to those homes where they have enjoyed previous successes.

The homeowner has to give permission for the camera to be installed by the force's crime prevention officer.

It will only be triggered by movement and records using CCTV technology.

It is intended that the cameras will be in place for months or even years at a time.

The images it captures will not be used on their own by the police to prosecute offenders but they will add to the ability to identify the most persistent offenders and will provide more evidence to prosecute them.

Insp Merrick insisted that the cameras were no substitute for following the police's basic advice to tackle doorstep criminals. This was to refuse entry to cold callers and always ask for some identity even if someone is expected.

Some instances had happened recently in the Bognor area where the home occupiers had followed the guidelines to scare off a bogus policeman.

"Once you start asking questions of these callers, they will quickly make themselves scarce and leave the area," he added.

What do you think? Click here to send a letter or leave a comment below.

Click here to go back to Chichester news

Click here to go back to Bognor Regis news

Click here to go back to Midhurst and Petworth news

To tell us where in the world you are reading this story click on the link below to add yourself to our readers' map.

MAP