Students are working with police to help elderly and vulnerable residents swot up on home security.
Members of Lancaster University’s volunteering unit are taking part in the Safe Project, a scheme that has been set up with Lancashire Constabulary to combat doorstep crime.
Those involved will be offering advice and free installation of security devices to residents on Morecambe’s Branksome estate.
The move comes after a number of homes in the area were targeted by distraction burglars.
A distraction burglary sees thieves using a range of methods in order to keep residents preoccupied, before gaining entry into the address and stealing property. Two men have since been charged in connection with the incidents and will appear in court later this month. Members of the Westgate neighbourhood police team will be delivering letters to the surrounding streets, offering simple crime prevention advice, along with the opportunity to get involved with the Safe project.
Crime prevention officer Jan Brown said: "Crime is low in Morecambe but we have recently had a number of incidents in a specific area so we are focussing our efforts into the surrounding streets to provide reassurance.
"Distraction burglars tend to consider the elderly and the vulnerable as easy targets – but taking a few simple measures can help prevent against falling victim to this type of crime."
Residents are asked to follow the ‘stop, chain, check’ approach –
STOP – are you expecting anybody? Do they have an appointment? Make sure that your back door is locked, so that no one can sneak in.
CHAIN – engage the door chain or door check every time you answer the door.
CHECK – ask for and double- check the caller’s I.D.
Jan said: "People claiming to be from companies or authorities, such as the council or the water board, will carry official identification. If they do not have it, then they do not work for them. Verify the identification by ringing the relevant body. However, you should use the number in the phone book – not the one on the identification card.
"If you are in any doubt, do not let the caller in. Contact the police and give them as much information as you possibly can."
Jan added: "We would really recommend that residents link up with the students who are taking part in the Safe Project so that they can get further advice and take advantage of the free installation of security devices on offer. Friends and relatives of residents can also recommend them for the project."
