Press Release

STUDENTS HELP ELDERLY TO KEEP SAFE AS HOUSES

8 February 2008

PUPILS from Camden are helping elderly residents keep safe and sound by giving them handy hints via a theatre production.

The 15 to 16 year olds from South Camden Community School performed a series of plays to elderly residents who attend the Age Concern Hill wood Resource Centre in Polygon Road, NW1, last week.

The plays aimed to raise awareness of bogus callers and promote the Council’s Safe as Houses scheme, which encourages vulnerable residents to follow the five-step ‘Who is at the door’ check list:
· Keep the door closed, ask who it is and what they want
· Have they got an appointment? If yes, check their identity, if no, do not open the door for any reason
· If they say they’re from a company, ask for your password (if you have one). They will know this if they’re genuine. If they don’t know it, don’t let them in
· Genuine callers will always be prepared to return by appointment at a time that is safe and convenient to you. Perhaps when you have a friend with you
· If in doubt, keep them out. Don’t let them in. Dial 999 and tell the police.

The pupils, who will use the play as part of their final assessment for their B-Tec drama course, played the roles of fraudsters who falsely claimed they were from different organisations.

In 2007 there were 45 people who fell victim of a bogus caller in Camden.

Cllr Ben Rawlings, Executive Member for Community Safety, said: “Bogus callers are rare, but will try any trick to get into your home. This production aims to highlight simple steps which can be taken to make yourself safer and I thank the pupils of South Camden Community School for helping the Council raise awareness of how to do this.”

Anyone over the age of 60 or disabled can have free security equipment installed under the Council’s Safe as Houses scheme. This includes mortice and window locks, spy holes, door bars, bolts for back doors, letter covers and strengthening for the door and locks. For more details or to apply call 0845 351 0642.

For any other community safety based information or advice contact the Council on 020 79742915 or email communitysafety@camden.gov.uk