§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to promote schemes which help prevent distraction burglaries, with particular reference to the British Gas Password Scheme. [188854]
§ Ms BlearsThe Home Office has produced a range of booklets, audio and video tapes giving advice to individuals and to practitioners, particularly those who work with older people, on measures which can be taken to reduce distraction burglary. They were promoted at a series of 11 regional conferences between November 2001 and March 2002 and are used at national, regional and local levels to raise awareness of distraction burglary and the preventative measures that can be taken.
In particular, the leaflet 'How to beat the bogus caller' gives both the important message to 'Lock, Stop, Chain and Check' before admitting someone and highlights the fact that many utility companies operate password schemes for older arid vulnerable people. To date, over six million leaflets have been distributed nationwide.