Digital switch sparks crime alert

Confusion over the change to digital TV could play into criminals hands police have warned. The UK will shift to digital television over the next four years with the West Midlands region changing by 2011.

Now police in Staffordshire believe many elderly and vulnerable residents don't understand what the change means and could fall victim to doorstep criminals. Although there have been no reports of criminals using the digital change as an excuse to trick homeowners police want to warn people.

The changeover is being co-ordinated by Digital UK a non-profit making organisation and police have stressed no-one from Digital UK will call on people without making an appointment.

Officers want elderly residents in particular to make sure they check the identity of any doorstep caller before opening the door and letting them in.

Advice from police is that residents should not use doorstep callers at all.

Vicki Singleton, from Staffordshire Police's Neighbourhood Watch said it was important to forewarn people about the potential danger of criminals using digital TV as an opportunity.

She said: "We haven't picked up any reports of this occurring in our area but this type of crime is a growing problem.

"We suspect criminals will pick up on the digital changeover and try their luck, it makes sense that criminals who try to trick people, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, will latch on to this.

"We are more concerned that the elderly and vulnerable may be targeted but it could affect anyone so we are trying to pre-empt."

Police figures show around one in every 10 incidents are actually reported to the police with the average age of victims being in their 80s.

Mrs Singleton added: "We have to be careful we are not raising people's fear of crime but this is something people should be taken seriously."

Around 60 per cent of households in the UK have digital TV but the remaining houses will need to change to digital if they want to continue watching channels.

For further information Digital UK has a helpline for people to call at 08456 50 50 50.