Tips to prevent doorstep crime

Police have issued a series of crucial tips to help prevent doorstep crime across Monklands.

Opportunistic scammers are always on the lookout to con innocent people out of their hard-earned cash.

To combat this, Police Scotland is urging Airdrie and Coatbridge residents to be wary of “anyone who calls at your door unexpectedly, especially if they offer to do any type of work or repair”.

They also ask that you “always check someone’s credentials – a genuine person won’t mind. Phone the company they represent or check online, but never use contact details they give you”. Other tips include:

– Take the time to think about any offer, even if it’s genuine.

– Don’t feel pressured to hand over money or give personal information.

– Don’t be embarrassed to say “no” or ask them to leave.

– Never disclose your PIN or let anyone persuade you to hand over your bank card, financial information or take you somewhere to withdraw cash.

– Call the police non-emergency number 101 if you’re not in immediate danger but want to report an incident.

– And phone 999 if you feel threatened or in danger.

Further information on doorstep crime, and how to combat it, can be obtained by visiting Police Scotland’s website or the force’s Lanarkshire branch’s Facebook or Twitter pages.

Anyone looking to report incidents anonymously can do so by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police Scotland has also issued a series of useful websites in the fight against doorstep crime, which include Victim Support, Citizens Advice and Take Five To Stop Fraud.