Beating doorstep crime: Police and Trading Standards join forces with webchat

West Yorkshire Police are teaming up with Trading Standards to host a webchat to offer help and advice to beat doorstep crime.

Experts from the two organisations will be on hand to answer any queries people may have tomorrow night (Wednesday April 13) from 7pm–8pm.

West Yorkshire Police’s Crime Prevention lead, Chris Joyce, who will join Lisa Stones from the West Yorkshire Trading Standards SAFER project.

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He said: “The webchat is a different means of communicating with people to get the message out about preventing door step crime.

“Anyone can join in – it is simple and straightforward to get involved and even if we can’t answer a query on the night we will endeavour to follow it up.

“We also have plenty of advice on our website about preventing doorstep crime – it’s easy to follow but could help drastically reduce your chances of being a victim of this type of crime.”

David Lodge, Head of West Yorkshire Trading Standards, said: “We always advise consumers to avoid doing business on the doorstep where possible. If you need work doing, always obtain three quotes from reputable traders, in particular those that are members of a registered trader scheme.”

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The SAFER Project is a Big Lottery Funded community protection and empowerment programme, run by West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service which helps equip older residents protect themselves from falling victim to doorstep crime and scams.

Through the delivery of educational community workshops and the distribution of free home safety toolkits, The SAFER Project aims to give residents the preventative advice they need to feel safer in their own homes. The doorstep crime and scams workshops which take place every week across West Yorkshire feature role play scenarios where residents have to decide what action they would take on their own doorstep.

They are free to attend and also cover trusted trader schemes and how best to find a decent and reputable trader. The joint Webchat with West Yorkshire Police Crime Reduction this Wednesday will give residents an opportunity to learn key tips about how to avoid dodgy doorstep callers and find out how they can benefit from The SAFER Project’s services.

To join in the webchat click here.