A NEW scheme aimed at protecting elderly and vulnerable people from distraction burglaries has been launched in North Wales.

North Wales Police Community Support Officer Amanda Collins has started a project offering advice and raising awareness of the crimes.

Distraction burglaries are where bogus workers pretend to be from organisations such as the water board in order to gain access to unsuspecting residents' properties.

Once inside, a second bogus person will enter and search for valuables and cash.

North Wales Police says it has recently encountered a number of these type of crimes.

Now, PCSO Collins has produced a leaflet with advice to raise awareness.

Working in partnership with Rowlands and Well pharmacies, a copy of the leaflet will be included in every medication bag of anyone elderly or vulnerable.

Designed to spread awareness, they will be available for both collected and delivered prescriptions.

PCSO Collins said: “As a Police Community Support Officer one of my key roles is to keep communities safe, protecting the elderly and the vulnerable in particular.

"When a member of the community becomes a victim of crime, I will do anything I can to help and to prevent others becoming victims too.

"In this case, the victims are members of the community who are least likely to read crime prevention advice put on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.”