Hampshire Constabulary launches new initiative for blind people to identify bogus police officers

It comes after blind resident Tina Snow raised concerns after she received a ‘knock on the door’ by Hampshire Constabulary.

While the call was genuine and Tina, who is classed as fully blind, allowed officers into her property, she then thought about the potential dangers if they had been impostors.

It was Isle of Wight-based Tina’s call which led to the development of the Visual Impairment Protocol (VIP). The system involves blind residents setting up a password with police.

This will be said by anyone calling at the property claiming to be a police officer.

Under the new system, if any caller cannot provide the correct password then they should not be allowed into the property.

Tina said: ‘Last year I had a police officer call at my door. He was making enquiries after an attempted break-in at a neighbouring property. Unfortunately he did not have any braille ID on him.

‘I let him in, and I shouldn’t have because I was taking a huge risk, as he could have been anybody.’

‘I contacted Hampshire police and I’m really delighted that they have put together a protocol to safeguard people with sight loss in the future.’

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Following the launch of VIP, assistant chief constable Craig Dibdin, force lead for disability, said: ‘When we were contacted by Tina about the circumstances she found herself in, we were quite rightly asked what we can do, or what we already do, to safeguard people in Tina’s position.

‘When a police officer knocks on the door of a person with a sight impairment, or severe sight impairment, how does that person satisfy themselves that they are indeed speaking to a police officer?

‘We contacted Tina and were absolutely delighted that she was willing to work with us to help us find a solution. Our accessibility team worked with Tina, and as a result of that we developed the Visual Impairment Protocol.

‘I can’t thank Tina enough for bringing this to our attention and for working with us.’

Hampshire Constabulary said it is now working with local charities including Sight for Wight, Southampton Sight, and Open Sight to gain further feedback.

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