MORE people have reported suspicious incidents to police since the launch of a campaign to cut the number of distraction burglaries.

The Knock Knock campaign has been designed to help police catch criminals preying on elderly and vulnerable people across the West Mercia Constabulary area, which includes Wyre Forest.

It has been supported with posters, leaflets and bus advertisements, urging members of the public to look out for suspicious-looking or unusual people and vehicles in their neighbourhoods.

A specialist team of officers has also been set up by the force to focus on distraction burglars, who trick their way into people's homes to steal cash and valuables.

Det Chief Supt Trevor Albutt, head of CID for the force, said: "In the week since we launched our Knock Knock campaign, we have seen fewer distraction offences reported to us and an increase in the number of people reporting suspicious incidents.

"This is excellent news but it doesn't mean that any of us should be complacent. We will not let up in our efforts to crack down on these callous and cowardly criminals."

He urged anyone who thought they had seen or heard something suspicious to call police on 08457 444888, adding "Your call could be the missing piece of the jigsaw that we need to bring the people who commit these callous crimes to justice."

National statistics for the year from April, 2003 to March, 2004 showed that 238 distraction burglaries were reported in the force area. In line with the national average, they accounted for four per cent of the house burglaries reported during the period.

West Mercia figures showed that, since 2001, there had been a 25 per cent fall in the number of reported distraction burglaries across the force area.