Crime prevention coffee morning
Safer Bridgend has been supporting Rogue Trader Week by holding a Crime Prevention Coffee Morning at Litchard Mission yesterday (Monday 21st June).
The event was organised in partnership with local PCSO Donovan Smith, Frontline Support Officer, Gaynor Cassidy and Ellis Roberts from Trading Standards. It arose as a result of an incident whereby an elderly gentleman from the Litchard area was scammed out of £2,000 when he was cold-called by a rogue trader offering to clean his driveway.
The morning informed local residents about the issues of doorstep crime and provided them with details of organisations which can assist them.
The event was supported by Trading Standards who provided information on doorstep crime as well as other partner agencies such as Care and Repair, Handyvan, Telecare and Older Persons Co-ordinator, Stuart Burge-Jones who all advised what they can do to help keep them safe and secure in their own homes.
The audience felt empowered to make the right decisions through contacting the legitimate agencies who provide an invaluable service at a low cost.
WRVS did a fantastic job of keeping everyone topped up with tea and biscuits but more importantly talked about the befriending service they provide.
Deborah Elward, Crime Reduction Tactical Advisor for South Wales Police, Central Division said: “It is sad when individuals report being scammed out of their savings by Rogue Traders who attend at that opportune moment to clear their driveways, or fix guttering.
“The event allowed us to inform attendees about what services are available locally and who can provide them at a reasonable cost or in some case absolutely free.”
Enid who lives in the Litchard area commented “it was excellent and covered everything. More people should attend these events and I feel more secure already”.