Drop in session will teach elderly in Islington how to spot scams
People will be told how to spot con artists - Credit: Archant
Vulnerable and elderly people in Islington will be taught how to avoid ‘callous’ scams at a free advice session next week.
The drop-in event will explain how to spot con artists and prevent doorstep crime, and distraction burglaries.
Scams include bogus tradesmen selling goods or offering to carry out repairs to gain access to people’s homes making off with an average of £1,000.
The event is part of a bid to tackle a 40 per cent rise in these types of crime in the borough, which has had the second-highest number of such incidents in the capital for two years running.
In 2014/15, the latest period for which data is available, there are 81 ‘distraction offences’ recorded – up from 58 the previous year.
Islington Council’s Director of Public Protection, Jan Hart, said: “Scams and distraction-related crimes are particularly callous as they usually target older, more vulnerable residents.
“This event will help people learn how to spot such crimes before they fall victim to them.”
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The event will be held at Islington Assembly Hall in Upper Street from 1.30pm-3.30pm on Tuesday.
