SECURESUMMER’17

Essential Crime Prevention Tips

SECURE

For more information Contact the IFA Crime Prevention Officeor call 087 100 6515or visit www.theftstop.ie

In Partnership with

IFA wants to remind all of its members and families that being alert, observant and safety-conscious during this time of year will help reduce losses and be cost effective. There will be monthly reminders and security notices over the coming months issued by the Crime Prevention Office.

A note from An Garda Síochána“An Garda Síochána is fully supportive of initiatives that prevent, deter and reduce farm related crime.

The IFA Theft Stop and Secure Summer initiatives are excellent examples of effective Crime Prevention partnerships focused on making our communities safer”

Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy.

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Bogus Traders or CallersMany people routinely employ door-to-door traders and repair people/contractors. Some of these people carry out very little work and charge exorbitant amounts of money for their services. In some cases this could be illegal behaviour, and there are recognised and defined criminal offenses for these kinds of situations. Common offenses range from criminal damage and deception to demanding money through threatening language. If you encounter these callers take the following steps:

• Poor Work/Excessive Charges – The culprits, in this instance, usually call to the home of a victim identified by them beforehand. They typically target the person because they have been successful there previously, or because the victim is an elderly individual living alone. The culprits gather information that is usually gleaned by surveillance, or discreet/innocent inquiries made locally. Often, the culprits will call on the pretext of being in-expensive professional roofers, guttering experts, painters, other trades people etc, and convince the victim that repairs need to be carried out. Once they give the appearance of work, the culprits will then demand payment by cash, often using threatening and intimidating tactics, and may even drive the victim to the bank to collect money.

• Bogus V.A.T. Charges -Different members of the same gang may carry out a con over a period of time on the same victim. A few of the culprits will offer to complete work or repairs

on the property, and then different members will approach a victim’s house posing as V.A.T. or Revenue Officials. They will demand extra money for the work by claiming bogus taxes or hidden fees.

• Deposit Scams - When the criminals are satisfied that they have hoodwinked the intended victim into engaging them for work, they will demand a deposit to purchase the materials to carry out the necessary repairs. Having secured the deposit they flee, never to return.

• Opportunity Thefts - If a person calls to your door offering you professional trade services, then please do the following:a. Tell the caller that you never employ trades people ‘cold calling’ to your door. b. Ask for a sales brochure or other documentation. c. Verify the information yourself.

• Always seek comparable estimates for any services offered from other established, reputable companies. Never engage a person who insists on cash payment for services offered. Even when employing a contract trades person, a reputable company always use a method of payment that is traceable.

• Never leave strangers, even bona fide workers, unsupervised in your home. If you think you have become a victim to this type of crime then ask your local Garda Station or IFA Crime Prevention Office for details on how to report it.

Essential Crime Prevention Tips

Home and Farm house • Secure all doors and windows.

• Light up your home by using timer switches when you’re out. It is recommended that you use external light sensors for additional home and farm yard visibility.

• Store keys safely and away from windows & letterboxes.

• Record details of valuables and don’t keep large cash amounts at home.

• Use your Alarm, even when at home. CCTV is a great deterrent and would verify all visitors to the property.

• Valuable items, as in toys and bicycles, should not be left unsecured outdoors. Always mark your property.

• Keep travel plan information private. Do not post your trip details on Facebook, or other social media platforms.

• Post a notice saying that the premises are alarmed. External gates should have a notice saying that it’s under observation which will help deter any potential trespassers.

• Be observant & watchful of any unusual activity. Please report any unknown vehicles, strangers or suspicious activity in the area to the Gardai. The use of Community Text Alert and Neighbourhood Watch Schemes are invaluable.

• Recent announcements by the Department of Justice on the grants for Community CCTV should be explored.

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