Episode 6

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0:00:02 > 0:00:04There's an area of crime that's getting worse.

0:00:04 > 0:00:07Too often it has a devastating effect on its victims.

0:00:07 > 0:00:10I'm talking about doorstep crime.

0:00:10 > 0:00:12We're celebrating the work of police

0:00:12 > 0:00:14and Trading Standards teams all over the UK,

0:00:14 > 0:00:18as they turn the tables on the crooks responsible.

0:00:18 > 0:00:20And you've been sharing your success stories

0:00:20 > 0:00:24and ideas for how to root out the rotters.

0:00:24 > 0:00:27Today, the distraction burglar who thinks he's found

0:00:27 > 0:00:30the perfect crime - but hasn't reckoned on the bravery

0:00:30 > 0:00:32of this Sussex consumer.

0:00:32 > 0:00:36To think that he could just...

0:00:37 > 0:00:42..sell my jewellery for that amount.

0:00:42 > 0:00:45Plus, have you ever wondered what happens

0:00:45 > 0:00:47when you pay rogue traders by cheque?

0:00:47 > 0:00:49Find out, as Trading Standards

0:00:49 > 0:00:52expose a money-laundering operation in south London.

0:00:52 > 0:00:54We will prosecute anybody

0:00:54 > 0:00:58who allows rogue traders to use their accounts

0:00:58 > 0:01:00to effectively launder money.

0:01:00 > 0:01:02And exciting stuff - we're out and about

0:01:02 > 0:01:05in Oxfordshire with an award-winning Trading Standards team,

0:01:05 > 0:01:08as they close the net on a gang of crooks!

0:01:08 > 0:01:10We need to go and find these people.

0:01:10 > 0:01:12Quicker we can stop it,

0:01:12 > 0:01:14the less harm there is to the residents of Oxfordshire

0:01:14 > 0:01:18and all those vulnerable people they're trying to take money from.

0:01:23 > 0:01:27Hello, and thanks to all of you for sending in your thoughts

0:01:27 > 0:01:31on doorstep crime, and, more importantly, how to beat it.

0:01:31 > 0:01:32For instance, John Dibley,

0:01:32 > 0:01:35who's a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator from Surrey.

0:01:35 > 0:01:39He says nobody wants their door keys or car keys fished right out

0:01:39 > 0:01:42through the letterbox, so his tip is to keep all keys

0:01:42 > 0:01:46out of sight of windows and letterboxes once you've locked up.

0:01:46 > 0:01:49But suppose you do fall victim to doorstep crime -

0:01:49 > 0:01:51who should you turn to?

0:01:51 > 0:01:53Well, Trading Standards would be a very good start,

0:01:53 > 0:01:56and we've been on the road with an award-winning team in Oxfordshire.

0:02:00 > 0:02:03Nationwide, law enforcement agencies are fighting back

0:02:03 > 0:02:08against doorstep crime - and that's certainly true in Oxfordshire.

0:02:08 > 0:02:12It's 8.30 in the morning, and Trading Standards officer

0:02:12 > 0:02:15Martin Woodley is already hard at work.

0:02:15 > 0:02:16A number of jobs coming...

0:02:16 > 0:02:20Martin heads up the doorstep crime rapid response team,

0:02:20 > 0:02:22which is made up of dedicated officers

0:02:22 > 0:02:25who work tirelessly to bring rogue traders

0:02:25 > 0:02:27and doorstep criminals to justice.

0:02:27 > 0:02:30We need to get out there and catch the people when they're there,

0:02:30 > 0:02:32because if you get there after they've gone,

0:02:32 > 0:02:35after they've got the money - normally cash -

0:02:35 > 0:02:38it's very hard to identify or find out who these people are.

0:02:38 > 0:02:41One of the things that sets the unit apart

0:02:41 > 0:02:45from other Trading Standards teams is that it's completely self-sufficient,

0:02:45 > 0:02:48thanks to police officer Jayne Newman,

0:02:48 > 0:02:50on attachment from the Thames Valley Police.

0:02:50 > 0:02:53With me in the team, I'm able to make the arrests

0:02:53 > 0:02:56straight away when we attend an incident,

0:02:56 > 0:02:58if an arrest needs doing,

0:02:58 > 0:03:01instead of the team having to wait for the police to attend.

0:03:01 > 0:03:04A typical day involves Martin and Jayne

0:03:04 > 0:03:09hitting the roads so that they can respond to any emergency calls from distressed consumers.

0:03:09 > 0:03:13Today they're investigating reports of driveway companies

0:03:13 > 0:03:16cold calling homeowners and using aggressive tactics.

0:03:16 > 0:03:21They will have their favourite areas to target. So, normally,

0:03:21 > 0:03:25it's quite wealthy areas and the elderly and vulnerable,

0:03:25 > 0:03:27areas with a lot of bungalows.

0:03:27 > 0:03:31The first lady they're visiting is so distressed by the incident

0:03:31 > 0:03:33that she doesn't want to be filmed.

0:03:33 > 0:03:37The lady's been visited twice within two days of each other

0:03:37 > 0:03:41by two separate companies trying to tarmac her drive,

0:03:41 > 0:03:44telling her that she's got to have it done.

0:03:44 > 0:03:47Interestingly, if you have a look at the flyers they've left,

0:03:47 > 0:03:53it's exactly the same image being used on both flyers.

0:03:55 > 0:03:57In addition to the strikingly similar leaflets,

0:03:57 > 0:04:02both companies were forceful and quoted a price of £2,000.

0:04:02 > 0:04:05From experience, Martin knows the likelihood of this

0:04:05 > 0:04:07being a coincidence is extremely slim.

0:04:07 > 0:04:11But the biggest price is the impact these rogues have

0:04:11 > 0:04:13on the people they target.

0:04:13 > 0:04:15I sometimes think if only the offenders could see

0:04:15 > 0:04:19the effects they have on some of the people's lives

0:04:19 > 0:04:22after they've done the offence,

0:04:22 > 0:04:24if they could see what they've left behind,

0:04:24 > 0:04:28maybe that might make a few of them change the way they go around

0:04:28 > 0:04:29and what they do.

0:04:29 > 0:04:33Just minutes after leaving the scene, Martin and Jayne

0:04:33 > 0:04:36may have a lead on the gang that have been cold calling nearby.

0:04:36 > 0:04:40We've just received a call from another area

0:04:40 > 0:04:43that we've now got to respond to, because they are there at this time.

0:04:43 > 0:04:47We're going to see if we can find them and establish what they've done,

0:04:47 > 0:04:50and if a crime's been committed and we find them, I'll be arresting them.

0:04:50 > 0:04:53A cross between Cagney and Lacey and Starsky and Hutch,

0:04:53 > 0:04:56they are out to catch these cold calling crooks red handed -

0:04:56 > 0:04:59but only if they can get there before the rogues leave.

0:05:03 > 0:05:06We'll check in with Martin's team in Oxford a little later on.

0:05:06 > 0:05:10Now, here's another example of doorstep crime.

0:05:11 > 0:05:15Hi. My name is Betty and last year

0:05:15 > 0:05:17a doorstep conman came

0:05:17 > 0:05:21and thought he could steal my precious jewellery.

0:05:21 > 0:05:24I would like to tell viewers how he was caught

0:05:24 > 0:05:28and how they can avoid being caught themselves.

0:05:28 > 0:05:32Betty sounds as if she has a poignant story to share -

0:05:32 > 0:05:34but first, let's take a look behind the scenes

0:05:34 > 0:05:36of a typical doorstep crime.

0:05:36 > 0:05:40We mustn't forget that some rogue traders and distraction burglars

0:05:40 > 0:05:44are just a front to a whole network of criminal activities.

0:05:46 > 0:05:48The target of this crooked scam is an 86-year-old

0:05:48 > 0:05:52who's keen for his story to be told to benefit others.

0:05:52 > 0:05:57He wants to keep his identity private, so we'll call him Peter.

0:05:57 > 0:06:01It was in July 2010 that a smooth-talking salesman

0:06:01 > 0:06:05arrived at his front door in south-east London.

0:06:05 > 0:06:08I was cold called by a salesman who was well-dressed.

0:06:08 > 0:06:11He indicated that he'd had information that I was

0:06:11 > 0:06:14a previous customer of a company no longer in business,

0:06:14 > 0:06:17and that I was entitled to any remedial work

0:06:17 > 0:06:20to the wall facings of the property.

0:06:20 > 0:06:24By pure coincidence, Peter had been concerned about the appearance

0:06:24 > 0:06:26of some cracks in his rendering,

0:06:26 > 0:06:30so the salesman's offer of some free work seemed too good to turn down.

0:06:30 > 0:06:34The pricing was never mentioned. It was just said that

0:06:34 > 0:06:38the cracks would be covered by the warranty or guarantee.

0:06:38 > 0:06:42I agreed they could have a look at the situation, and within an hour,

0:06:42 > 0:06:45he said they could have someone, as they were working locally,

0:06:45 > 0:06:47to come and start the work, which they did.

0:06:49 > 0:06:52It was a classic doorstep ruse.

0:06:52 > 0:06:55Sadly, Peter was the perfect target.

0:06:55 > 0:06:58But before he could change his mind,

0:06:58 > 0:07:00the door-stepping rogues got down to business.

0:07:00 > 0:07:03But instead of repairing the cracks,

0:07:03 > 0:07:06they decided to remove half of his front wall.

0:07:06 > 0:07:08Within the hour, the men arrived,

0:07:08 > 0:07:11and before I knew, there was a hole

0:07:11 > 0:07:14three foot by three foot in the front of my bay.

0:07:14 > 0:07:18What started as an offer to fix some cracks now had poor Peter

0:07:18 > 0:07:22besieged in his own home with a gaping hole in his wall.

0:07:22 > 0:07:26Of course, in classic conman style, it soon became obvious

0:07:26 > 0:07:30that the "free work" first offered was anything but.

0:07:30 > 0:07:35He asked me for money for materials, which I agreed to.

0:07:35 > 0:07:40I did go to the bank, withdrew £16,000.

0:07:40 > 0:07:42I thought at that time that was enough...

0:07:44 > 0:07:46..but it didn't stop there.

0:07:46 > 0:07:48You're right. It certainly didn't.

0:07:48 > 0:07:51The crafty conmen then claimed that both the airbricks

0:07:51 > 0:07:55and the paving around the bay window would need replacing.

0:07:55 > 0:07:58I had to withdraw a further £15,000.

0:07:58 > 0:08:01I felt under pressure,

0:08:01 > 0:08:04but I just felt I had to get it done with.

0:08:04 > 0:08:06By now, the rogue builders had embezzled

0:08:06 > 0:08:10an incredible £31,000 from Peter,

0:08:10 > 0:08:11but they still weren't satisfied,

0:08:11 > 0:08:14and demanded another £3,000 when they completed the work.

0:08:14 > 0:08:17Reluctantly, Peter gave them a cheque,

0:08:17 > 0:08:20but now feeling uneasy about what had happened,

0:08:20 > 0:08:23he took the brave decision to call Trading Standards,

0:08:23 > 0:08:25who quickly made a shocking discovery.

0:08:25 > 0:08:28The work that was actually carried out

0:08:28 > 0:08:31was valued at only £2,500,

0:08:31 > 0:08:34so this is a hugely exorbitant price to pay

0:08:34 > 0:08:38for work that, frankly, wasn't necessary in the first place.

0:08:38 > 0:08:42So it seemed that Peter had seen the last of his life savings.

0:08:42 > 0:08:44But this was to be the turning point,

0:08:44 > 0:08:46because money leaves a trail,

0:08:46 > 0:08:49and the tenacious team at Bromley Trading Standards

0:08:49 > 0:08:50were on the case.

0:08:50 > 0:08:53'The next step was to find the money, and we did this by tracing

0:08:53 > 0:08:56'the cheques and cash transfers,'

0:08:56 > 0:08:58and more and more now, we are targeting

0:08:58 > 0:09:02those who allow their bank accounts to be used

0:09:02 > 0:09:04by way of forensic accounting,

0:09:04 > 0:09:07and we will prosecute anybody who facilitates this crime

0:09:07 > 0:09:11and allows rogue traders to use their accounts

0:09:11 > 0:09:14to effectively launder money.

0:09:14 > 0:09:18Their investigation led the team to Michael Anthony Joyce,

0:09:18 > 0:09:20a man who was in the business of cashing cheques

0:09:20 > 0:09:23with no questions asked.

0:09:23 > 0:09:25We decided we needed to interview the suspect

0:09:25 > 0:09:28to find out what sort of role he had in these events,

0:09:28 > 0:09:31and following our interviews with him,

0:09:31 > 0:09:34it became apparent that he had decided to enter into

0:09:34 > 0:09:36a business arrangement with the rogue traders

0:09:36 > 0:09:40on the strength of what was a five-minute interview with them

0:09:40 > 0:09:42at a motorway service station.

0:09:42 > 0:09:45Joyce admitted to a meeting with the conmen,

0:09:45 > 0:09:48during which he agreed to pay cheques and bank transfers

0:09:48 > 0:09:53into his account, totalling £291,000 -

0:09:53 > 0:09:58the tidy profit from a series of ruthless doorstep scams.

0:09:58 > 0:10:01Happily, though, the court wasted no time

0:10:01 > 0:10:04in finding Joyce guilty of money laundering.

0:10:04 > 0:10:08The court imposed a 30-month prison term in this case

0:10:08 > 0:10:10and we were very pleased with that.

0:10:10 > 0:10:13It shows courts take a dim view of this type of activity.

0:10:13 > 0:10:17Their unfortunate victim Peter can take great comfort in knowing

0:10:17 > 0:10:20that the gang's money man is now well behind bars -

0:10:20 > 0:10:23and the Proceeds of Crime Act means that he's hoping to reclaim

0:10:23 > 0:10:25at least some of his life savings.

0:10:25 > 0:10:28Still, it's a tough lesson.

0:10:28 > 0:10:31I feel I've been scammed, and I feel for other people

0:10:31 > 0:10:34that must be in the same situation as me.

0:10:34 > 0:10:37It's a simple lesson

0:10:37 > 0:10:40of not entertaining these people, because they're quite unscrupulous.

0:10:40 > 0:10:43They appear to be very nice

0:10:43 > 0:10:46but behind that mask, they're after all they can get.

0:10:46 > 0:10:50Although the doorstep criminals who targeted Peter are still at large,

0:10:50 > 0:10:53Trading Standards are working positively to ensure that

0:10:53 > 0:10:57the laundering of money is made much more difficult.

0:10:57 > 0:11:01The golden rule for all these cases is you can stop it

0:11:01 > 0:11:05before it starts, and that's simply by saying "no" at your front door.

0:11:05 > 0:11:07Never accept any offers at your front door,

0:11:07 > 0:11:09especially from a cold call.

0:11:09 > 0:11:12Well said, Rob. Now, still to come,

0:11:12 > 0:11:15the distraction burglar who met his match

0:11:15 > 0:11:17when he tackled this lady from West Sussex.

0:11:17 > 0:11:19I rang the police.

0:11:19 > 0:11:23They said that they thought they would be able to find him

0:11:23 > 0:11:26without any problem, because I also had his name.

0:11:30 > 0:11:32At this point, we return to Oxfordshire,

0:11:32 > 0:11:36where Trading Standards officer Martin Woodley is hot on the trail

0:11:36 > 0:11:38of doorstep crooks.

0:11:40 > 0:11:42Martin heads up a crack team

0:11:42 > 0:11:45which is known for its rapid response tactics

0:11:45 > 0:11:47to bring doorstep criminals to justice.

0:11:47 > 0:11:51Today, he and fellow team member PC Jayne Newman are investigating reports

0:11:51 > 0:11:55of driveway companies aggressively pushing for business.

0:11:55 > 0:11:57They're responding to an urgent call

0:11:57 > 0:12:01to a house where traders fitting this description have just called.

0:12:01 > 0:12:03Martin and Jayne hope it's the same gang

0:12:03 > 0:12:07who targeted another elderly lady this morning.

0:12:07 > 0:12:10Going to have a chat with the victim, see what's gone on,

0:12:10 > 0:12:11see why they've tried to...

0:12:11 > 0:12:13how much they've charged her,

0:12:13 > 0:12:16are they coming back to try and get the money from her?

0:12:16 > 0:12:18And, if they are, we'll see what we can do to help her.

0:12:18 > 0:12:22Frustratingly for Martin, the rogues are nowhere to be seen,

0:12:22 > 0:12:26but after speaking to the homeowner, who also wants to remain anonymous,

0:12:26 > 0:12:29it sounds as though it was the same gang.

0:12:29 > 0:12:33They told her they wanted to tarmac this bit of road here.

0:12:33 > 0:12:36We do not even know if it belongs to her.

0:12:36 > 0:12:40But that's the bit they said they want to do for £2,000.

0:12:40 > 0:12:42Luckily, the lady's said no,

0:12:42 > 0:12:45and she's called ourselves and the police,

0:12:45 > 0:12:48and now we're going to see if we can find them

0:12:48 > 0:12:50and ask them what else is going on.

0:12:51 > 0:12:54It's always wise to contact Trading Standards as soon as

0:12:54 > 0:12:58anything like this happens, so that swift action can be taken.

0:12:58 > 0:13:01He may have missed them this time, but Martin's not one

0:13:01 > 0:13:05to give in easily, and nor is his colleague Jayne Newman.

0:13:07 > 0:13:09What we're doing now is going to see another victim

0:13:09 > 0:13:12that has been targeted by these offenders,

0:13:12 > 0:13:16and we're going to see if there's any evidence of who they are.

0:13:16 > 0:13:18Incensed by what has just happened,

0:13:18 > 0:13:22the local man doesn't wish to be identified, but is keen

0:13:22 > 0:13:25to do all he can to see that these rogues are stopped in their tracks.

0:13:25 > 0:13:30He said, "Oh, I've got a leaflet for you about..."

0:13:30 > 0:13:33I said, "No, I'm sorry, but I can't afford that kind of thing."

0:13:33 > 0:13:35"Oh, but," he said, "it all needs doing."

0:13:35 > 0:13:37"It's all getting in bad state."

0:13:37 > 0:13:39I said, "Yeah, but I can't afford it!"

0:13:39 > 0:13:42"You don't have to pay for it straight away.

0:13:42 > 0:13:44"You can pay for it in the next three or four weeks."

0:13:44 > 0:13:47"But we'll do it for you.

0:13:47 > 0:13:49"It'll cost you £2,000."

0:13:49 > 0:13:52I said, "I don't want anything done. I can't afford it."

0:13:52 > 0:13:56Once again, Martin and Jayne have narrowly missed the crooks,

0:13:56 > 0:13:59but, with common threads between the cases,

0:13:59 > 0:14:02Martin's convinced it is the same gang.

0:14:02 > 0:14:04What he's given to us is another card.

0:14:04 > 0:14:07This card appears to have the same pictures,

0:14:07 > 0:14:10same format...the only thing that seems to be different

0:14:10 > 0:14:13is the name of the company, so...

0:14:13 > 0:14:17we've got reason to believe there's a reasonable chance

0:14:17 > 0:14:21that it's the same people, but just using a different name.

0:14:22 > 0:14:26Knowing full well that these doorstep criminals are in the area,

0:14:26 > 0:14:29Martin is determined to take decisive action.

0:14:29 > 0:14:31We need to get on top of it.

0:14:31 > 0:14:34It's something we need to stop as soon as possible.

0:14:34 > 0:14:36So we need to go and find these people.

0:14:36 > 0:14:38The quicker we can stop it,

0:14:38 > 0:14:40the less harm there is to the residents of Oxfordshire

0:14:40 > 0:14:44and all those vulnerable people they're trying to take money from.

0:14:47 > 0:14:51In addition to reading your inspirational emails,

0:14:51 > 0:14:54we've also really enjoyed meeting you in person

0:14:54 > 0:14:57to get your thoughts on doorstep crime.

0:14:57 > 0:15:01I think everybody can get involved to help stop doorstep crime

0:15:01 > 0:15:04just by being part of their own community.

0:15:04 > 0:15:08Scams are frequent and come in all forms.

0:15:08 > 0:15:10It's difficult, if someone's pleasant,

0:15:10 > 0:15:13to think that they perhaps have an ulterior motive.

0:15:16 > 0:15:18Who would have thought somewhere

0:15:18 > 0:15:21as tranquil and lovely as the West Sussex coast

0:15:21 > 0:15:24would play host to a devious doorstep crime?

0:15:24 > 0:15:28Well, 21-year-old Thomas Jeeves made it his playground.

0:15:28 > 0:15:30The young man was well-known to police,

0:15:30 > 0:15:32thanks to several convictions for theft.

0:15:32 > 0:15:36But when he knocked on the door of 78-year-old widow Betty Lewry,

0:15:36 > 0:15:38he met his match.

0:15:38 > 0:15:41Betty, just explain to me how you came across

0:15:41 > 0:15:43this conman in the first place. How did you meet him?

0:15:43 > 0:15:47Well, he came about the loft insulation.

0:15:47 > 0:15:51He seemed very pleasant. He was smartly dressed,

0:15:51 > 0:15:54nice hair, and...

0:15:54 > 0:15:57just a very pleasant person to talk to.

0:15:57 > 0:16:01That initial encounter led to Betty having her loft insulated

0:16:01 > 0:16:03by the company that Jeeves worked for.

0:16:03 > 0:16:06They did a good job and she was pleased with the work,

0:16:06 > 0:16:09so when Jeeves turned up on her doorstep several months later,

0:16:09 > 0:16:13Betty didn't have any cause for concern.

0:16:13 > 0:16:18He came to say that he wanted to inspect

0:16:18 > 0:16:20the work had been done properly,

0:16:20 > 0:16:23and I recognised him.

0:16:23 > 0:16:25But did you check his ID when he came?

0:16:25 > 0:16:30Yes, I did. He had it with his photo on it,

0:16:30 > 0:16:32so that's why I wasn't suspicious at all.

0:16:32 > 0:16:35And were you pre-occupied at the time?

0:16:35 > 0:16:38Yes, I was going on holiday the following day,

0:16:38 > 0:16:41so I was busy.

0:16:41 > 0:16:43So I just said to him,

0:16:43 > 0:16:45"Well, you know where it is."

0:16:45 > 0:16:48So you stayed downstairs getting ready for your holiday?

0:16:48 > 0:16:50And he was upstairs alone?

0:16:50 > 0:16:52Yes. He was such a pleasant chap

0:16:52 > 0:16:56that I didn't think anything about it.

0:16:56 > 0:16:58In a way, why would Betty be wary?

0:16:58 > 0:17:01After all, a familiar face, and a company that she trusted.

0:17:01 > 0:17:03Little did she know that Jeeves had been sacked

0:17:03 > 0:17:05by the insulation company,

0:17:05 > 0:17:10but had kept his identification card despite them asking for its return.

0:17:10 > 0:17:12While her back was turned downstairs,

0:17:12 > 0:17:14Jeeves rifled through her bedroom

0:17:14 > 0:17:18and stole some of her most precious and personal belongings.

0:17:18 > 0:17:21At what point did you realise that your jewellery had gone?

0:17:21 > 0:17:23It wasn't until the evening.

0:17:23 > 0:17:28I went to the dressing table to get my jewellery

0:17:28 > 0:17:30and realised that it had gone.

0:17:30 > 0:17:32And what exactly did he take?

0:17:32 > 0:17:35My engagement ring, my eternity ring.

0:17:35 > 0:17:40Some of the things, naturally, that my late husband bought me and,

0:17:40 > 0:17:45as I say, I was really upset because I can't replace them at all.

0:17:45 > 0:17:50He'd taken the most precious things that I still had from my husband.

0:17:50 > 0:17:54How much from a memory point of view does the jewellery mean to you?

0:17:54 > 0:17:58The world, really, because my engagement ring

0:17:58 > 0:18:03and the rings, well, I've had them so many years.

0:18:03 > 0:18:0845 years we were married, and it's just gone.

0:18:08 > 0:18:12As he left with his pockets full of Betty's most precious possessions,

0:18:12 > 0:18:14Jeeves was cool, calm and collected,

0:18:14 > 0:18:18but he had greatly underestimated her, because once she got over

0:18:18 > 0:18:21the initial shock and heartache of what had happened,

0:18:21 > 0:18:23Betty set the wheels of justice in motion.

0:18:23 > 0:18:27I called the police, and they came out,

0:18:27 > 0:18:29they were very good, actually.

0:18:29 > 0:18:32They thought they'd find him

0:18:32 > 0:18:36without any problems because I also had his name.

0:18:36 > 0:18:40Calling the police was the best thing that Betty could have done.

0:18:40 > 0:18:43Detective Constable Faye Satchwell-Bennett

0:18:43 > 0:18:44headed up the investigation.

0:18:44 > 0:18:46Betty was an excellent witness.

0:18:46 > 0:18:49She knew exactly what had happened

0:18:49 > 0:18:51and she was very consistent in her account.

0:18:51 > 0:18:55Opportunist burglars target the vulnerable in society.

0:18:55 > 0:18:57They met their match in Betty

0:18:57 > 0:19:00because she could remember everything that happened.

0:19:00 > 0:19:04With the information from Betty's statement, it wasn't long

0:19:04 > 0:19:07before the police were able to trace Jeeves' footsteps.

0:19:07 > 0:19:10Our investigations led us to a shop within Sussex

0:19:10 > 0:19:12that advertised cash for gold,

0:19:12 > 0:19:14and we know that on that very day,

0:19:14 > 0:19:16immediately after he had stolen her jewellery,

0:19:16 > 0:19:20he had gone to that shop where he had sold the items for £91.

0:19:20 > 0:19:22Fortunately for us, they kept receipts

0:19:22 > 0:19:25and he'd used his driving licence as identification

0:19:25 > 0:19:27when he sold the jewellery,

0:19:27 > 0:19:29and he then went on to a betting shop

0:19:29 > 0:19:32where he bet away the money he'd got for the jewellery.

0:19:32 > 0:19:37Awful. That's just £91 in exchange for the jewellery that held

0:19:37 > 0:19:40over 45 years' worth of priceless memories.

0:19:40 > 0:19:42Naturally, this news came as a real shock.

0:19:42 > 0:19:46Very, very upset to think that

0:19:46 > 0:19:52he could just sell my jewellery

0:19:52 > 0:19:53for that amount.

0:19:54 > 0:19:57And with everything that it meant to you.

0:19:57 > 0:20:01Yeah. But...

0:20:01 > 0:20:02That must have made it worse.

0:20:02 > 0:20:03Yes, it did.

0:20:05 > 0:20:07With the evidence stacking up against the suspect,

0:20:07 > 0:20:11it was only a matter of time before he got his just deserts.

0:20:11 > 0:20:14Many people will think this is a very brazen crime.

0:20:14 > 0:20:17I think he relied on the fact that she was elderly

0:20:17 > 0:20:20and that she would not remember him,

0:20:20 > 0:20:22not remember his ID badge,

0:20:22 > 0:20:26and probably take a period of time to realise the jewellery was gone,

0:20:26 > 0:20:28so I think he believed that would happen.

0:20:28 > 0:20:32With a strong case against Jeeves, the police wanted to prosecute,

0:20:32 > 0:20:34but for Betty this meant the daunting prospect

0:20:34 > 0:20:37of giving evidence in court.

0:20:37 > 0:20:40- Did you hesitate about going to court?- Yes.

0:20:40 > 0:20:41I did think about it,

0:20:41 > 0:20:44because it really is an ordeal,

0:20:44 > 0:20:49but if it helps the police, I thought,

0:20:49 > 0:20:51well, yes, I would go.

0:20:51 > 0:20:54And how did it feel on that day in court? Were you very nervous?

0:20:54 > 0:20:56Yes. Very nervous.

0:20:56 > 0:21:00So did his defence try to accuse you of negligence

0:21:00 > 0:21:03or being mistaken or anything like that?

0:21:03 > 0:21:07They tried to make out that perhaps I'd left the front door open.

0:21:07 > 0:21:11Also that I had a siesta.

0:21:11 > 0:21:14You must have been incensed at that idea.

0:21:14 > 0:21:17Well, I was extremely annoyed, to be perfectly honest,

0:21:17 > 0:21:21because I'm not senile,

0:21:21 > 0:21:26and I do know what I'm talking about.

0:21:26 > 0:21:28How did you feel when you saw this guy in court?

0:21:28 > 0:21:31Cos at the beginning you thought he was a nice young man.

0:21:31 > 0:21:33Very plausible, very well-dressed,

0:21:33 > 0:21:36but how did you feel on the day knowing he'd taken your jewellery

0:21:36 > 0:21:37and invaded your privacy?

0:21:37 > 0:21:42To start with, I began to feel a little bit sorry for him, I think.

0:21:42 > 0:21:44- Why?- He was young and what-have-you,

0:21:44 > 0:21:48and I thought he had ruined his life,

0:21:48 > 0:21:51but after seeing him in court and what he had been up to,

0:21:51 > 0:21:53I think he deserved all he got.

0:21:55 > 0:21:58It emerged that just three weeks before turning up at Betty's,

0:21:58 > 0:22:01Jeeves had burgled an elderly man whom he'd befriended

0:22:01 > 0:22:03a few months earlier. He stole jewellery,

0:22:03 > 0:22:07used the man's bank card for purchases valued at over £1,400,

0:22:07 > 0:22:12and wrote fraudulent cheques totalling £1,500.

0:22:12 > 0:22:15But on the 11th April, 2011,

0:22:15 > 0:22:18Thomas Jeeves got his comeuppance, when he was sentenced

0:22:18 > 0:22:21to 21 months' imprisonment for distraction burglary.

0:22:21 > 0:22:25'Justice had been done, but, as brave as Betty had been,

0:22:25 > 0:22:27'the entire process was quite an ordeal.'

0:22:27 > 0:22:29By this stage, you've been through

0:22:29 > 0:22:32the trauma of having your jewellery stolen,

0:22:32 > 0:22:34you've now had to deal with the police and go to court.

0:22:34 > 0:22:37What have you learned? What's your personal lesson?

0:22:37 > 0:22:41I'm very careful now when anybody comes to the door.

0:22:41 > 0:22:45If they haven't made an appointment,

0:22:45 > 0:22:50I won't let them in. Also, I had a chain put on the front door.

0:22:50 > 0:22:52So now it's like Fort Knox, eh?

0:22:52 > 0:22:54Yes.

0:22:57 > 0:23:00Tremendous thanks to Betty for sharing her story with us.

0:23:00 > 0:23:03It's comforting to know that, sooner or later,

0:23:03 > 0:23:05the law catches up with doorstep criminals.

0:23:05 > 0:23:07Well, now we move to Oxfordshire,

0:23:07 > 0:23:09and the residents there must feel reassured

0:23:09 > 0:23:12that Trading Standards officer Martin Woodley

0:23:12 > 0:23:15is standing up for their consumer rights.

0:23:17 > 0:23:22Martin and PC Jayne Newman are on the trail of a new gang of doorstep criminals

0:23:22 > 0:23:24who are posing as two different companies,

0:23:24 > 0:23:27cold calling vulnerable residents in Oxford

0:23:27 > 0:23:31and bullying them into having their driveways fixed or replaced.

0:23:31 > 0:23:34So far, Martin and Jayne have met three victims

0:23:34 > 0:23:37and gathered several pieces of evidence against the gang.

0:23:37 > 0:23:39As often can happen with a rapid response team,

0:23:39 > 0:23:42their pursuit has been interrupted

0:23:42 > 0:23:44by an urgent call from a worried consumer.

0:23:44 > 0:23:48On arrival, this case has a striking similarity

0:23:48 > 0:23:49to the others.

0:23:49 > 0:23:51We've turned up at this complaint.

0:23:51 > 0:23:54You can see they're doing two driveways.

0:23:54 > 0:23:56Obviously from first indications

0:23:56 > 0:23:59is that not enough earth has been taken away,

0:23:59 > 0:24:02and the hardcore that had been left

0:24:02 > 0:24:04was very poor quality. This is definitely not

0:24:04 > 0:24:10a type one, which they stipulated on the paperwork.

0:24:10 > 0:24:14This is just crushed-up rubble you could get off any builder's site.

0:24:16 > 0:24:19It's disgusting that these crooks have tried to charge a fortune

0:24:19 > 0:24:22for what is nothing more than rubble. Martin and Jayne

0:24:22 > 0:24:24aren't certain if this driveway crime is linked

0:24:24 > 0:24:26to the gang they've been pursuing,

0:24:26 > 0:24:29but it's certainly given them plenty of new leads to explore.

0:24:29 > 0:24:32Either way, rogue traders are targeting residents

0:24:32 > 0:24:34on Martin's patch, so he intends to get hold of them

0:24:34 > 0:24:37as quickly as possible.

0:24:37 > 0:24:39We're playing catch-up at the moment,

0:24:39 > 0:24:42but this is the sort of job where they just move off.

0:24:42 > 0:24:45We're now going to do an area search.

0:24:45 > 0:24:47We suspect they may be in another location.

0:24:47 > 0:24:51This seems like a classic case of doorstep crime, but the good news is

0:24:51 > 0:24:53that after interviewing the residents,

0:24:53 > 0:24:56Martin and Jayne think they have amassed enough evidence

0:24:56 > 0:24:59about these persuasive cold callers.

0:24:59 > 0:25:03Within the last two days, with the information we've got

0:25:03 > 0:25:05and all the information obtained from witnesses

0:25:05 > 0:25:09and intelligence, we now know who we're dealing with.

0:25:09 > 0:25:13It's very similar scenarios to what's happening all the time,

0:25:13 > 0:25:16in these similar scams.

0:25:17 > 0:25:20Martin and Jayne continue their enquiries

0:25:20 > 0:25:22and are confident of a successful outcome.

0:25:22 > 0:25:25And if any other doorstep criminals are thinking about

0:25:25 > 0:25:29plying their trade in Oxfordshire, Martin has a word of warning.

0:25:30 > 0:25:32Let me get the message out to those that think

0:25:32 > 0:25:35they can come into Oxfordshire and take advantage.

0:25:35 > 0:25:37It doesn't matter where you are,

0:25:37 > 0:25:41we will even get warrants to come over cross-border

0:25:41 > 0:25:44to come and find you and deal with you.

0:25:44 > 0:25:47It's a great example of the essential work being carried out

0:25:47 > 0:25:51by the doorstep crime team. Martin's dedication to his job

0:25:51 > 0:25:53was recognised when he was awarded an MBE

0:25:53 > 0:25:57for services to local government in the 2011 honours list,

0:25:57 > 0:25:59although, being a team player,

0:25:59 > 0:26:03it's an accolade that he's reluctant to take all the credit for.

0:26:03 > 0:26:05I felt very proud, not only for myself,

0:26:05 > 0:26:10but also for all the other Trading Standards officers across the UK,

0:26:10 > 0:26:13because it's representation for everybody

0:26:13 > 0:26:15trying to achieve the same goal.

0:26:19 > 0:26:22And well done to that crack team in Oxford.

0:26:22 > 0:26:24Well, there's time for one last letter.

0:26:24 > 0:26:26This is from Jane in Wiltshire,

0:26:26 > 0:26:30whose tip is to always keep a piece of paper and pencil handy,

0:26:30 > 0:26:33on the windowsill or in your car, so that you can make a note of

0:26:33 > 0:26:37any registration number or details of anyone acting suspiciously.

0:26:37 > 0:26:40I think that's a good tip, so thanks for that, Jane.

0:26:40 > 0:26:43As you know, we're here to fight back against doorstep criminals

0:26:43 > 0:26:45and we'd really love to hear more about

0:26:45 > 0:26:48how you have managed to stop them ripping you off.

0:26:48 > 0:26:50You can always find the details

0:26:50 > 0:26:54about how to contact us here:

0:26:54 > 0:26:56All I can say is, thank you very much for your company,

0:26:56 > 0:26:59I hope you'll join me next time. From all of us, bye-bye.

0:27:23 > 0:27:26Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd