Warning over bogus calls
Residents are being warned over bogus callers claiming to be working with the police and fire service and offering to check smoke alarms.
The warning from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Staffordshire Police comes after a resident in Stone received such a call.
Fortunately, the resident made the fire service aware who confirmed no such activity was taking place.
Mark Walchester, head of the service’s central prevent and protect, said: “We have been made aware of a call received by a member of the public in Stone regarding a visit to their home. We believe this to be a bogus call and thank them for doing exactly right thing and raising this with us.
“Part of the service we provide to the public is our Safe and Well visits where we will go out to people we believe are vulnerable or are of greater risk of a fire in their home.
“When we do arrange to visit a property we will always agree a prearranged visit over the telephone with the occupier agreeing a date and time. When our Safe and Well technicians do visit they will always have identification and will be more than happy for you to call the service to verify them on 0300 330 1000.”
Chief Inspector Giles Parsons, of Stafford Borough Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Bogus callers will always try and make their reasons sound as valid as possible.
“Our advice to residents is not to let unknown visitors into their home and to contact the police if they are suspicious over a telephone call or a physical visit.”
Anyone with any information should message Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter, or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
