Police issue doorstep crime warning

Police in East Ayrshire are urging residents to be more vigilant when it comes to doorstep crime.

That comes on the back of new figures that showed 336 victims of doorstep crime were defrauded out of around £420,000 between April and September last year.

The warning came as part of Operation Monarda, a two-week campaign aimed at raising awareness of doorstep crime.

Figures showed 54 per cent of victims to be of a pensionable age, but police warn such crime is indiscriminate.

Bogus callers often target properties claiming to be businesses, such as a utility company or a charity, to gain access and steal from within.

Chief Superintendent John McKenzie, of Police Scotland’s Safer Communities, said:“We are carrying out a wide range of activities in order to reach as many people as possible, because bogus callers and rogue traders are indiscriminate. They will call at any house they can, looking to con the occupant and line their own pockets.

“The more vulnerable in our society do continue to be the main target for these fraudsters and I would urge people to please look out for their elderly or otherwise vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours – but please also spare a thought for yourself.

“These criminals can be very plausible and persuasive and it can be easy to be taken in by them.”