POLICE from Royston have urged residents to stick an alert in their windows to warn against cold callers.
Officers from the Barnsley North Neighbourhood Team have encouraged homeowners to print off the poster (seen above) and stick in their windows to deter ‘bogus criminals’.
PC Christopher Ling, from the Royston team, said: “Bogus officials are often cold callers, claiming to work for the local council, the NHS or other official organisations.
“Callers can often pretending to be carrying out maintenance or collecting money for local charities.
“Offenders may also work together to trick their way into people’s homes to steal money or valuable items, this is known as distraction burglary.
“Offenders may make themselves seem genuine and friendly at your front door, keeping you distracted, while their partner is in your home.
“Officers are reminding people to never give money to bogus officials. Employees of official organisations would never ask for your cash or for your bank details without ID.
“Always ask to see the identification badge of anybody attending your home. “Employees from official companies will always be happy and able to provide an ID badge.
“If you are unsure, always call the company they are believed to be from, using a yellow pages or search engine. Never use the number given by the callers; this could also be bogus.”
If you do believe you have been approached by a bogus caller, report the details to police via 101.
