Doorstep scammers to be targeted by new Street Association in Hughenden area

A group of Hughenden Street Association members.

A pilot scheme to combat loneliness, isolation and fight doorstep scammers is to take place in eight villages in the Hughenden area.

The Hughenden Street Association scheme will be launched at Hughenden Primary School on Monday 20th February 2017. It has the backing of Local Resident Associations and the Neighbourhood Action Group, supported by the parish, district and county councils along with Thames Valley Police.

The scheme will cover the communities of Great Kingshill, Naphill, Walter’s Ash, Hughenden Valley, Widmer End, North Dean, Bryant’s Bottom and Cryer’s Hill.

This pilot scheme, which is the first parish-wide Margaret Aston, in the UK, aims to develop a stronger sense of community by :

• Encouraging residents to be ‘nominated neighbours’ to look out for older and more vulnerable people.
• Working with the whole community to ensure everyone feels safe.
• Directing people to the right organisations for support.

Each of the communities will have its own co-ordinator to rally residents’ support. A tool kit with training modules is being assembled to heighten residents’ awareness of doorstep crime, how the scammers work and how to recognise potential vulnerabilities.

Three Street Association members have already come forward as community co-ordinators and they will lead in the drive to recruit residents to the scheme, supported by the professional services in this unique partnership.

The villages, which are all in Hughenden parish, have been chosen because of the unusual age profile of their population. Between 2001 and 2011 the number of residents aged between 25 and 45 fell by a third and the number over 60 rose by 50%.

One of the County Council’s scheme co-ordinators, Senior Trading Standards Officer Chris Holden, said they had seen crimes against the elderly increase significantly in the past 25 years. More than half of their criminal investigations are into frauds on people over 75.

‘We want this scheme to make people feel safer and encourage neighbours to look out for one another, especially our more vulnerable residents,‘ said Chris. ‘Dementia plays an increasing role in susceptibility to doorstep crime and, sadly, proportions increase with an ageing population.‘

Seven doorstep scams were reported in Hughenden parish in the past two year, however Chris emphasises that these figures represent the tip of a community crime iceberg, with ‘only one in 10 incidents ever reported‘.

‘The hidden nature of doorstep scamming is clear, as is the likelihood of under-reporting within Hughenden, which is why the Street Association scheme is so important.‘

Annual losses from doorstep crime across Buckinghamshire are estimated to be around £5 million. The average age of victims is 77.

In one incident during 2014 an older couple with dementia were groomed by scammers over seven months and defrauded of nearly one million pounds.

Where vigilant Buckinghamshire neighbours have raised the alarm, police and Trading Standards have been able to intervene and prevent more than £300,000 from being pocketed by doorstep criminals.

However, this initiative is not only about preventing crime. Natalie Judson, Community Links Officer with the County Council and steering group member added: ‘Equally important is the support Association members can make in improving the well being of residents across the board, not least at times of ill health, bereavement and isolation‘.

‘We will be encouraging members to signpost people they believe may need support to the Prevention Matters’ programme.‘ said Natalie. ‘Prevention Matters works with communities to develop and support a range of social activities and clubs and we’ve seen huge improvements to residents’ health and overall confidence and wellbeing from taking part in these social opportunities.‘

Parish Councillor and Chair of the Steering Group, Stan Jones, said: ‘We are really lucky to have such a diverse range of groups, clubs and societies across Hughenden, but of course not everyone knows about them. So we are also producing a directory of all services available to residents, including all the social activities.‘

Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health at Buckinghamshire County Council, Margaret Aston, said: ‘People’s spirit of community is very welcome, and when there are issues, everyone is so good at pulling together. We’d like to encourage this spirit of goodwill to make sure that the most vulnerable enjoy the protection of their caring neighbours.‘

Feedback from Street Coordinators during the next year will help determine how the County Council extends the scheme.