Always be wary when ‘cold callers’ come to your door

Garda Crime Watch by Sergeant Michael Walsh

Spring appears to be finally here and many of us are looking forward to getting back out to enjoying our gardens and the great outdoors. However, An Garda Síochána often receive an increase in complaints about bogus or rogue door-to-door traders and contractors at this time of year.

While not all traders are ill intended, it’s our experience that some of these people carry out very little work and charge exorbitant amounts of money for their services. In some cases, this could amount to criminal behaviour and there are common ways that these crimes are perpetrated.

Firstly, there is no onus on you to open your door to anyone. If someone knocks on your door unexpectedly take your time and don’t feel pressured or rushed into answering it. If you have a door viewer or chain limiter, use it to safely check callers and retain control over your security. Alternatively speak with a caller through a window, or if you have a smartphone and Wi-Fi, a video doorbell is an excellent way to engage with callers while maintaining safe separation.

Keeping your front and rear doors and windows locked day and night is recommended. Sometimes we get reports of distraction burglaries where someone will distract you at the front door while an accomplice will sneak in the back door to steal your property.

I would even go a step further and recommend that if you have gates at the perimeter of your property that they should be kept closed, as they are an important first line of defence. There are video intercom systems that can be fitted to you gates which will allow you to communicate with callers while keeping them off your property.

If you are over 65 years, you are entitled to apply for Pobal’s free Senior Alert Scheme (SAS) pendant which is an excellent security device.

Normally worn either as a watch or around your neck as a necklace, pressing the button on it provides instant connect with a monitoring station who will in turn call your next of kin if necessary.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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