CRIME PREVENTION IS ON THE MENU
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CRIME PREVENTION was on the menu for Meals on Wheels customers in Wednesfield on Tuesday (11 May), after PCSOs in the area cooked up a way of helping elderly residents stay safe.
Police Community Support Support Officers (PCSOs) Steve Simpson and Max Barlow from the Wednesfield neighbourhood police teams accompanied Meals on Wheels driver Susan Baynham on her delivery route, visiting the homes of elderly residents and offering tips on how they can protect themselves from crime.
PCSOs now plan to accompany Meals on Wheels on their delivery route at least once a month.
PCSO Steve Simpson said: “Working with Meals on Wheels gives us the opportunity to have regular contact with some of the more vulnerable members of our community in the comfort of their own homes.
“One of the key messages we are trying to get across is around bogus callers, who typically try and trick their way into people’s homes claiming to be from the Gas or Water Board – which no longer exist.
“We are advising residents to follow the Lock, Stop, Chain and Check rule - to keep doors LOCKED, even when you are in the house, to STOP and think ‘am I expecting anyone?’, to put the CHAIN on the door before answering and to always CHECK the ID card of the person calling.
“The most important message is, if in doubt – keep them out!”
Wednesfield resident and Meals on Wheels customer Mavis Edwards (76), said: “I think it’s a great idea. The PCSOs are really friendly and easy to talk to. They left me a card so that I can get in touch with them if anything happens. It’s made me feel much safer.”
Anyone who thinks they may have been visited by a bogus caller should contact West Midlands Police on 0345 113 5000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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