REDDITCH residents are being urged to support elderly and vulnerable friends and family after reports of cold calling and possible scams in the area.
A scheme to deter cold callers and rogue traders is in place across the borough and the council’s Community Safety Team wants more residents to sign up and work with their neighbours to ward off doorstep criminals.
After receiving a number of reports from areas with known vulnerable or elderly residents, the council is encouraging more people to be part of the Nominated Neighbour scheme which deters scam callers who will not want to have their identity to be checked.
Nominated Neighbour uses bright yellow window stickers to show potential house callers they will only be seen if accompanied by a known and trusted person after their identity has been verified by that other person.
Redditch Borough Council leader, Coun Matt Dormer, said: “By harnessing a partnership of police, council, and neighbourly support, this scheme is effective help for residents concerned about doorstep crime – the proof is in the feedback.
“I’d also like to remind residents that our council officers will always carry official ID and will be happy to wait if you want to check it by calling the council on our main switch board number 01527 64252.
“Always be wary of anyone pretending to be us, offering to do work on our behalf which you can ‘claim back’ or who is unwilling to let you double check their identity.”
Visit the website at nwcsp.org/help-and-advice/nominated-neighbour-scheme.aspx for more information.
