TOP class performances of a musical play and a special information day aimed at highlighting the problem of distraction burglaries are to take place in West Devon this October.
?Trickster?, performed by Solomon Associations, a professional theatre company which has worked in films and TV, is being brought to the borough by West Devon Community Safety Partnership.
The partnership, which undertook a crime survey in the area recently, believe victims of this type of burglary are often too embarrassed to tell anyone they have been ?conned? into letting strangers into their homes and consequently, the crimes are under-reported.
Andy Ames of West Devon Homes, a member of the partnership, said Trickster was set in 1945 and the present day and tells the story of a man living on his own, who becomes the victim of a distraction burglary.
The performance takes the audience back to a time when people had just returned from the war, having risked their lives for freedom and asks why when they are older, some fear crime in their own homes.
Trickster aims to give the audience skills and confidence to take control when dealing with a caller at the door ? it also encourages greater reporting of any incidents.
Andy said: ?Because we live in a nice area, people don?t think crime is going to happen to them ? it?s a shame, people are too trusting.?
Andy said West Devon is the only area in the county to get four showings of Trickster. The performances are open to everyone in the community and free tea and coffee will be provided. Residents can see Trickster at The Jubilee Hall in Chagford on October 8 at 10am, The Ockment Centre in Okehampton at 2pm on the same day and The Anchorage Centre in Tavistock on Thursday October 9 at 2pm.
Trickster is also being performed at a special ?Beat the Bogus Caller? day at the Two Bridges Hotel in Princetown, between 10.30am and 3.30pm on October 9. The entire day is free and is aimed predominantly at West Devon residents over the age of 60.
Andy said: ?I think it?s going to be a really good day. There will be victims of crime coming along and giving a talk about how it affected them, we are hoping to get a perpetrator of crime along, there will be lots of help and advice ? it should really be excellent.?
Places are limited at the ?Beat the Bogus Caller Day? so booking is essential. To reserve a place, call Andy Ames on 01822 813796 or Debby Henderson on 01822 813720.