Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Users posing as posties and cops to access flats
DESPERATE drug users are impersonating police officers and Royal Mail staff in an attempt to gain access to high-rise flats on the Hilltown, according to worried residents.
People living in Dallfield Court and Tulloch Court said they are being “plagued” with continuous calls at all hours of the day, with users coming into the blocks to either score drugs or take them.
Although residents have access to privacy settings on their intercom system, they say the problem is happening “regularly” throughout the day.
One mother living in Dallfield Court, who has been a victim of the hoax calls, said she was aware of others in her block suffering similar problems.
She said: “People are saying they are from Royal Mail and they are here to drop off a parcel for someone.
“There have also been instances where people are claiming they are from Police Scotland and they need access.
“Folk are just letting them in when in reality it is people looking to take or buy substances.
“My kids are frightened when people come up and start banging on the door looking for drugs – it is a nightmare”
A resident in Tulloch
Court – who declined to be named – said he and others were experiencing similar issues in their block.
He said: “Thankfully you can put the intercom on a privacy setting and I’ve just told people coming up to visit me to call instead. I was being plagued constantly with the buzzer going.
“The Police Scotland hoax has been used a number of times before.”
Police Scotland has previously released statements pointing out it is illegal to impersonate a police officer before suggesting people ask for details such as an officer’s collar number if they have concerns.
Councillor Mark Flynn said it was “irresponsible” to let anyone into a block of flats without knowing who they are.
“There have been concerns raised about people gaining access into the buildings when they shouldn’t,” he said.
“However, I wasn’t aware of anyone impersonating members of Royal Mail or Police Scotland staff to gain access.
“It is irresponsible just to let anyone into the block. I would urge anyone who is experiencing these types of calls to advise the person trying to gain access to contact the property in question directly.”
A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “Royal Mail delivery colleagues are provided with a physical form of photo identification that provides evidence that they are an employee of Royal Mail Group.
“This applies to the vast majority of delivery staff.
“Royal Mail does on occasion use agency workers who may not have Royal Mail ID but will be provided with a form of identity from the agency.
“Any resident has the right to challenge our staff to satisfy their authenticity before allowing access to their property.
“If the person challenged is not able to provide suitable identification, then they can be refused entry.”