The Evening Gazette's bogus caller campaign this month celebrates its second birthday.
The If In Doubt, Keep 'Em Out campaign was launched in April 2001, to raise awareness of the scourge of con artists who prey on the vulnerable and to let people know how they can avoid being taken in.
The Gazette has published more than 300 stories about bogus callers since the campaign was launched covering everything from the latest scams being tried to bogus callers themselves being tried in court.
Gazette editor Irene Kettle said: "The campaign has been a huge success and the take-up of our If In Doubt, Keep 'Em Out stickers, which warned prospective visitors while giving residents a list of things to check for their own security, has been astounding.
"Since we blazed a trail with this campaign, other people have picked up the idea. We don't mind that as our main aim is to get over the simple If In Doubt, Keep 'Em Out message and to do our bit to make our community a safer place to live and work."
Describing the campaign, Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester police, said: "The Gazette campaign has educated people about this type of burglary and, I believe, helps to reduce the number of offences."
Since it was launched, the campaign has been praised by Jack Straw, the foreign secretary, as well as other politicians, high-ranking police officers and other leaders of crime-fighting groups in the county.
About 14,000 home-owners have the Gazette campaign stickers on their doors.
Published Tuesday, April 22, 2003
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