ANYONE who knows a bogus caller is being urged to contact Crimestoppers in a bid to crack down on the doorstep crime.Crimestoppers has teamed up with police forces in the eastern region, and this month will launch a radio broadcast called If You Know a Bogus Caller… It will ask anyone with information about the people committing these offences to call them anonymously.

ANYONE who knows a bogus caller is being urged to contact Crimestoppers in a bid to crack down on the doorstep crime.

Crimestoppers has teamed up with police forces in the eastern region, and this month will launch a radio broadcast called If You Know a Bogus Caller…

It will ask anyone with information about the people committing these offences to call them anonymously.

Nothing will be noted about the caller and calls will not be recorded or traced, but information will be passed to the police to help with enquiries.

Crimestoppers said they recognised that some people had personal pressures that prevented them from giving the police information.

Bogus calling is a vindictive crime, where a trick or distraction is often used for offenders to gain access to properties in order to commit a burglary.

They can often make householders confused and gain access quickly by pretending there is an emergency.

They may use fake ID or cause a distraction at the front while an accomplice gains entry through the rear.

The crime is usually targeted at vulnerable older people, causing deep distress and often leaving permanent trauma for the victim.

In Essex, there have already been 130 reported crimes of this type in 2007, the equivalent of 43 every month.

Margaret Hyde, local Crimestoppers chairman, said: “Any individual can call Crimestoppers without fear. If information leads to arrest and charge, cash rewards can be paid, still without revealing identity.”

Det Sgt Richard Burgess, of Essex Police, said: “Bogus callers are despicable criminals, often preying on elderly people, and we are continually tackling their activities to reduce the number of victims.

“Many of the perpetrators move location often and are hard to track down, but we will be continuing our work to stamp out this abhorrent crime.”

Essex Police is offering vulnerable people a door hanger, designed to be left permanently on the door to help remind them what to do to thwart a distraction burglary should the occasion arise.

Anyone who would like one should contact their local crime prevention officer. Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.