Police in Coventry are to take to the streets in an effort to target the problem of bogus callers preying on vulnerable people in the city.

The West Midlands Police Crime Prevention Caravan will be parked in Far Gosford Street in the city centre for shoppers and passers-by to pick up crime prevention advice on 5 March.

Officers are hoping to particularly speak to more vulnerable people in the area, such as the elderly, who often become targets for unscrupulous callers at the door.

They will be able to give on-the-spot crime prevention advice on how people can make themselves safer in their homes and while out shopping or walking.

The initiative follows a number of distraction burglaries in the area, where elderly people have been conned into letting people into their homes and then have property stolen from them.

As well as leaflets and information, visitors to the caravan can also take away free property marking pens, to help identify their valuables should they ever be stolen.

PC Trevor Irwin, Vulnerable Persons Officer at Chace Avenue police station said:

"The caravan will be parked from 8.30am-3pm in Far Gosford Street and will also have representatives from Victim Support, Age Concern and Trading Standards visiting for people to ask advice."

He added:

"We hope people will be able to stop by and meet us and get some advice in fighting crime while they are out in the city centre."

For more information contact PC Trevor Irwin or Peter Sturgeon, Community Partnership Officer on 024 7653 9002.