Rapid response team is fantastic
A Dunstable resident has thanked Bedfordshire County Council’s Rapid Response Team after rescue from a criminal gang and the prospect of losing thousands of pounds.
Earlier this year Dr Hulbert from Dunstable was approached by a doorstep caller offering what seemed to be a good deal on a new driveway. He was quoted a very good price for the work and considered what he should do next. Dr Hulbert takes up the story:
“When I came back they had already dug up the driveway, it was a mess, what could I do?”
Not only had the drive been dug up, he was also told to pay money up front and then watched as the gang made an absolute mess, including dumping a bucketful of rubble into the sewer.
To add insult to injury, he then received threats to pay over £4,000 more than the agreed sum.
Dr Hulbert remembered that Dunstable is in a No Cold Calling Zone and called the Bogus Caller Hotline on 08454 040506. He spoke to the County Council’s Rapid Response Team – Special Constables who are part of the Council's newly formed Community Safety Team, and who are trained to rid the county of Bogus Callers and Criminal Traders.
When the team arrived at Dr Hulbert’s home, the conman was now on his own. He immediately stopped his demands for more money and fled over the fence, leaving expensive equipment in the back garden.
Dr Hulbert said:
“The Rapid Response team were fantastic; they came within 20 minutes and were very helpful and sympathetic. They seemed to know what we had been going through”.
Dr Hulbert is one of many residents that have benefited from the Rapid Response Team’s immediate action. Already, the team have saved over £100,000 that would otherwise have gone into the pockets of criminals like these.
Special Constable Nigel Conroy, one of the team that helped Dr Hulbert said:
“We know that a bargain price and the promise of a good, quick job can appear attractive, but consider this: can you deal with the threats and intimidation when the price goes up? Always use trusted workmen.”
Despite this incident No Cold Calling Zones have been a great success. There has been a reduction of door step incidents all over the County and a 13% fall in Bedfordshire’s distraction burglary crime figures. More and more towns and parishes have introduced their own zones and already over 85% of the county is covered.