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| Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service |
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| Issued By West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service |
As
part of National Consumer Week West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service is
playing host to the “Feeling Good Theatre Company” (FGTC), who
are a nationally renowned professional theatre company, based at the Leeds
Playhouse. They will be performing a thought provoking 45 minute play to help
raise awareness of doorstep crime and demonstrate practical ways which can help
to keep ourselves and our homes safe.
The
production, created, written and performed by the FGTC is specifically aimed at
older adults. In the audience for
the performance will be older adults from across West Yorkshire.
The
FGTC are partners in the Leeds Distraction Burglary Initiative, who are running
a number of projects to prevent and detect distraction burglaries against older
adult victims. Brian Steele, a retired ex Detective Chief Superintendent of the
West Yorkshire Police Murder Squad, who is currently heading the Leeds
Distraction Burglary Initiative, will be speaking about the pitfalls of doorstep
selling and distraction burglary. Other parties who will be represented at the
event will be West Yorkshire Police, Neighbourhood Watch and Victim Support as
well as several of West Yorkshire’s Elected Members.
One
of the key aspects of the performance is to educate older adults to make
effective use of a door chain and be aware of target hardening measures, which
will make it more difficult for bogus callers to gain entry.
WYTSS
have been important players in a multi-agency approach to dealing with doorstep
selling and distraction burglary issues through Community Safety Groups.
Effective information exchange has enabled target-hardening equipment to be
fitted at the homes of burglary victims or people deemed to be particularly
vulnerable.
Martin
Wood, Chief Officer West Yorkshire Joint Services said, “We are pleased to
host this special performance by the Feeling Good Theatre Company, as it ties in
so closely with the theme of National Consumer Week, “A Foot in the Door”.
We have been working hard on a number of initiatives to educate the older
adult and vulnerable members of society. Trading Standards have an active role
to play in changing people’s attitudes to doorstep selling. Promoting the
performances of the “Feeling Good Theatre Company” and educating older adult
groups in such a novel way, helps eliminate instances of distraction
burglary”.
For
further information please contact:
Mr.
Tony Downham – Principal Trading Standards Officer – 0113 289 8247
Mrs
Linda Davis – Educations and Promotions Officer – Tel. 0113 289 8246
Mr
Graham Hebblethwaite – General Media Contact Tel. 0113 289 8218
NOTES
FOR EDITORS
The
FGTC will be performing on 13th November at the West Yorkshire Joint
Services offices, based at Nepshaw Lane South, Morley. Visitors are arriving at
2.00pm, with Brian Steele, a retired ex Detective Chief Superintendent of the
West Yorkshire Police Murder Squad, who is currently heading the Leeds
Distraction Burglary Initiative, speaking at 2.30pm about the pitfalls of
doorstep selling and distraction burglary. This will be followed by the theatre
group, who will be performing at 3.30pm until 4.15pm.