Film makers in competition to fight doorstep crime

 

Inspired by Nominated Neighbour Scheme by Cheshire East Council PIC: Cheshire East Council

Croydon’s amateur film makers have been asked to focus their skills on rogue traders in a bid to undermine crooks who target the old and vulnerable.

The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) has launched a ‘Be a Good Neighbour Stop Rogue Traders’ campaign in Croydon to encourage amateur filmmakers to produce a 90-second video to warn against crooked doorstep traders.

The aim of the videos is to encourage neighbours, family and friends to intervene in the event that a vulnerable loved one or neighbour is approached by illegitimate doorsteps traders and con men. The winner will receive £1000 and their video played across the country.

“Every year there are as many as 170,000 incidents in the UK where rogue traders try to illicitly solicit money from consumers in their home,” said Leon Livermore, the TSI chief executive. “This is a great opportunity for creative minds to promote our key message and protect the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Speaking about his support for the campaign Councillor Mark Watson, the cabinet member for Safety and Justice in Croydon, said: “Doorstep crime is a cowardly assault on victims who are, more often than not, elderly and vulnerable”

“These are likely to be people who grew up in a more trusting age and who are more inclined to take callers at face value.”

The deadline for entries is midnight Wednesday 1 October. Semi-finalist will be announced on 20 October and then judged by a panel of industry and media experts. The winner will be announced on 3 November, during this year’s TSI National Consumer Week campaign to raise awareness and encourage communities to look out for each other.

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