A CRIME prevention scheme pioneered by Hyndburn officials has been launched to help cut down crime in the area.

Crime prevention officers in the borough came up with the idea of printing personal safety messages on napkins, to be delivered to homes by a catering firm who deliver 'meals on wheels.'

The napkins will be handed to elderly residents with the message 'If In Doubt, Keep Them Out.'

Hyndburn Community Safety Partnership, the brains behind the scheme, hopes to reduce the risk of bogus callers and distraction burglaries by encouraging residents to check who is at the door before letting people into their homes.

Over the next two months, 100 households a day throughout areas including Accrington, Great Harwood and Rishton, will get the napkins.

Davina Helm, co-ordinator for the Community Safety Partnership said, "It is important that we take care of all our residents across the Borough.

"We want to raise awareness of bogus callers and distraction burglary crime. Distraction burglary is where people, especially the elderly, can become distracted by callers at their front or back doors.

"The caller's accomplice then goes to the other door and, if not locked, will enter the house and steal a raft of items such a money, jewellery and sentimental items."

The scheme was piloted earlier this year in the Ribble Valley, and is now being rolled out to Hyndburn residents.

To help, elderly householders are being encouraged to follow some rules if they hear a knock on the door -- 'Stop' before opening the door, 'Chain' the door securely before opening, and 'Check' the identity of the caller.

The napkins will be delivered to local houses by Davenports Caterers, and begins this week.