I received this via Cllr Sheila Peacock (Tottenham) but as one of these scams also  took place in north Hornsey thought people should be warned.

NB these men have an apparently genuine firm's van all marked you with name of company and say they work for Homes4Haringey. They have proper looking headed paper / contracts.

Subject: Robberies
Importance: High

Dear Friends,  

I write to inform you that there have been three robberies over the past two weeks carried out on Haringey residents by men claiming to be working for Homes for Haringey.  In each case the men have gained access to the property by claiming that they need to carry out repairs. In each case ward councillors have been alerted , but as this is continuing and with no clear pattern to the incidents, we wanted all councillors to be aware.

The incidents have occurred in different parts of the borough, two at council properties and one at a private property. None of the residents had ordered repairs or were expecting anyone to call but still gave them access. It is understood that the perpetrators have shown some form of ID in each case. We have met with the police and they are linking these crimes.

There may have been more incidents which have not been reported to police as we understand, anecdotally, that several residents mentioned similar incidents to Contact Centre staff when calling in to say they cannot afford to pay their rent.

Neighbourhood Watch schemes have been informed and leaflets delivered to residents in the areas where incidents have taken place. A notice has been placed on our website, sent to the media, highlighted on social media and issued to staff.  Contact Centre staff and operatives have been briefed and the Contact Centre recorded message has been amended to include advice.   

We are also organising for leaflets to be delivered to council tenants in street properties who are identified as vulnerable, and will be placing notices on estate notice boards. We will continue to work with the police to support their investigations, but urge all residents to be vigilant and not let anyone in to their home unless they are sure they are genuine callers.

We have now also discussed working together with the Council communications team to raise awareness.

I trust this information is helpful, but if you want any further information please do contact Jasper South - Head of Tenancy Services .

Many Thanks,

Astrid Kjellberg-Obst

Executive Director of Operations

Homes for Haringey

48 Station Road I London I N22 7TR

Tel: 020 8489 5912

Mob: 07881 635 016

E: Astrid.Kjellberg-Obst@homesforharingey.org