Nominated Neighbour scheme in Sudbury and Haverhill

Nominated Neighbour scheme in Sudbury and Haverhill

A new Nominated Neighbour scheme is being trialled in Sudbury and Haverhill as part of a partnership between Suffolk Police and Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch, supported by Suffolk Trading Standards, to help protect elderly and vulnerable residents from distraction burglaries, bogus callers and rogue traders.

The scheme complements existing community safety initiatives, including the No Cold Calling Zone and Trusted Trader schemes run by Trading Standards. 

Together, these measures aim to increase residents’ confidence, improve home security and reduce the risk of crime targeting vulnerable people.

The free scheme enables residents to nominate a trusted friend, neighbour or relative to act as an intermediary when an unexpected caller arrives at their door.

The nominated person should ideally live nearby or be easily contactable by telephone and be available to help during the day.

To join the scheme, a Suffolk police officer or Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator will visit the resident to explain how it works.

The resident will identify a trusted individual, with their agreement, to become their Nominated Neighbour and will then receive a leaflet containing the neighbour’s details.

If an unfamiliar caller knocks on the door, the resident is advised not to open the door or engage with them. Instead, they can display the leaflet through a closed window or door or the letterbox.

The leaflet instructs the caller to contact or visit the Nominated Neighbour instead.

The Nominated Neighbour can then verify the caller’s identity and, if they are genuine, accompany them back to the resident’s home to supervise the visit.

Experience from other areas where similar schemes operate has shown that suspicious callers often leave immediately, while legitimate callers are happy to verify their identity and return for a pre-arranged appointment when the Nominated Neighbour is present.

Pc Jack Oakley, of Haverhill’s Community Policing Team, and Mark Smith, Neighbourhood Watch police liaison member, said: “This is of another example of successful partnership working to keep communities safe. This scheme will initially be rolled out in Sudbury and Haverhill for a six-month trial which will then be assessed.

“Certain criminals do target the elderly and vulnerable in their homes by posing as genuine callers and try to get access to the home by deception. Others offer to do so-called improvement works for exorbitant sums and the work proves to be unnecessary or sub-standard.

“The Nominated Neighbour Scheme will protect potential victims and is another positive step towards reducing isolation, the fear of crime, distraction burglaries and other potential doorstep crime.”

Mark Smith added: “From what I know, most bogus callers rely on gaining confidence of a resident to get into their property. By encouraging vulnerable or elderly residents not to talk to unexpected callers and instead direct them to a third party, it will hopefully reduce the chances of them becoming the victims of rogue traders and bogus callers.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore welcomed the trial. “This is exactly what makes Suffolk so special, people looking out for each other, protecting our more vulnerable citizens and being good neighbours.

“This partnership approach is just what we need, and I am pleased to see the Constabulary working hand-in-glove with Trading Standards and the wonderful volunteers from Neighbourhood Watch to protect the county against distraction burglaries, bogus callers and rogue traders.

“I will watch the progress of this scheme with great interest and support other areas doing the same.  Suffolk is a safe county and has the second lowest level of recorded crime, and by working together we will maintain this favourable position.”

To pick up a Nominated Neighbour Scheme poster and card please email cpt.haverhill@suffolk.police.uk or cpt.sudbury@suffolk.police.uk