A SCHEME to alert members of the public of distraction burglaries in their area has launched in Cambridgeshire. The Community Alert Scheme has been set up by community contact officer Angie Walters and has already enlisted over 130 members of from the ne

A SCHEME to alert members of the public of distraction burglaries in their area has launched in Cambridgeshire.

The Community Alert Scheme has been set up by community contact officer Angie Walters and has already enlisted over 130 members of from the neighbourhood watch.

It alerts the public via a telephone message of a distraction burglary in the area giving out descriptions and any other relevant information about the crime. It warns the public to be on their guard and look out for suspicious activity.

Angie Walters said: "The purpose of the scheme is to provide the public with up-to-date information about distraction burglaries.

"Often there will be a series of distraction burglaries at one time and we hope that by alerting the public in the first instance we can prevent further people becoming victims.

"The alert scheme is also an opportunity for the public to remainaware of any suspicious activity in their neighbourhood."

The scheme is part of ongoing work by Cambridge Constabularly's central division to crack down on distraction burglaries and follows a number of awareness days and visits by PCSOs to elderly and vulnerable people's homes to issue crime prevention advice.

Pc Phil Carpenter from the community safety unit said: "Distraction burglary is a problem across the county and one that police are focused on reducing.

"These offenders trick their way into people's homes and steal from them, leaving behind a frightened victim."

The Community Alert Scheme is open to all residents of Cambridgeshire.

INFORMATION: To find out more about the Community Alert Scheme or to join up to the scheme contact Angie Walters on 0845 4564564.