Borough Life Autum 2006: Be ‘sure at your door’
Eye say, Eye say... Age Concern's Terry Lotts demonstrating one of the door spyholes available free to the over 50s.
Free home security checks and devices are on offer to the borough’s over 50s to help deter doorstep crooks.
Age Concern has trained staff and volunteers ready to visit homes, groups and gatherings to explain how to deal with unwanted callers and thwart the conmen. Every month the papers report heartbreaking tales about people who have been conned by thieves. Now Wigan is one of only two areas in England to receive National Grid funding for the ‘Sure at Your Door’ scheme.
Project manager Lisa Garry explains: “Distraction burglaries are carried out by the cruel and heartless preying on the vulnerable. With the funding we have from National Grid, we can prevent this malicious and often frightening crime.”
Anne Greenwood of Pemberton is one of hundreds of local people already benefiting from the scheme. Security bars have been fitted on her front and back doors, window alarms have been installed and her smoke alarm has a new ten year battery.
She says: “I feel a lot safer since Age Concern came out – in the day and at night time too. It’s a brilliant scheme and I’d recommend it to anyone.”
Borough Life readers who would like a free home security check, or know somebody aged over 50 who does, should ring 01942 826079 and ask for ‘Sure at Your Door’.
Community groups who would like to know more about the scheme can contact Lisa Garry on 01942 615882 or email: lisa.garry@ukf.net