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Nominate a Neighbour Scheme Launched in South Norfolk

Police in South Norfolk have launched a new initiative to deter bogus callers and rogue traders from operating in the district.

The ‘Nominate a Neighbour Scheme’ has been introduced to give elderly and vulnerable people in our community a non-confrontational way of saying ‘no’ to callers they do not recognise.

If a resident has a caller at their door that they do not know they will hold up a card informing the caller to go to their ‘Nominated Neighbour’. It is the nominated neighbour’s responsibility to check the identity of the caller and return to the resident’s address if the caller is genuine. The representative will then stay with their neighbour until the caller has left the premises.

Police analysis shows that the elderly are most at risk of being targeted by these conmen. In one recent case, an elderly female in South Norfolk paid £10,000 for substandard and unsafe work to her house.

South Norfolk Superintendent Paul Sanford said: “Norfolk Constabulary works very closely with local authorities and other organisations to combat this type of crime and target those responsible – but we want to do more.

“The Nominate a Neighbour Scheme has been launched in partnership with South Norfolk Council to reduce this crime further in the district.

“Rogue traders often target the most vulnerable people within our community. We hope that this scheme prevents them from being the victims of conmen and makes those who sign up feel safer in their own homes.”

To apply for a FREE nominate a neighbour pack please write to ‘Nominate a Neighbour Scheme', Long Stratton Police Station, Ipswich Road, Long Stratton, Norfolk, NR15 2TB and include your name, address and telephone number or email your contact details to sntlongstratton@norfolk.pnn.police.uk.