ONE Fleetwood police officer is tackling the problems of bogus callers piece by piece.

PC Dave Oldfield has rolled out Operation Jigsaw across the coastal town to help stop burglars and bogus callers preying on the elderly and vulnerable.

He said: "The Government were not dealing with these problems quickly enough, so as town centre officer I decided we ought to look at preventing the crimes in the first place rather than just mopping up afterwards.

"So with £9,000 funding from Chief Supt Stuart Kirby we employed Brian Ingham as a crime prevention officer to go round the area offering advice and fitting basic safety equipment such as window and door latches, chains, back lights and locks. And also to enforce the stop, chain and check routine.

"But we didn't know where to start. And then we thought all the elderly go to the local post office to cash pensions etc so I approached them to give leaflets out on my behalf."

And Derek Eaton of Fleetwood's Lighthouse Post Office in Albert Road did more than that. He gave the security scheme the real stamp of approval as he explained: "I have been at this post office for about 24 years and have gained the trust of the community, so when I was approached to do the job I said straight away we would sponsor it with posters and leaflets.

"I even wrote a letter to all the pensioners in the area to inform them of the scheme and this cemented to them it was the right thing to do. Because we are a Canon colour copy centre as well as a post office we are able to produce all the posters etc right here which also meant it didn't cost anything.

"And now Fleetwood fire station have joined in and are fitting free smoke alarms. The whole scheme is making a lot of people in the area feel a lot more secure."

PC Oldfield is now looking for more funding to carry on the scheme.

"We only have enough money to last until the end of March," he said. "And this is only the first stage of six as next we would like to look into securing multi-occupancy buildings etc.

"I have put in a bid for more funding. So far we have successfully secured 150 houses in the area, but with 1,800 houses in the town we are only just beginning."

For further information or to help with Operation Jigsaw call PC Dave Oldfield on (01253) 604911.

Lighthouse Post Office is also running a competition to coincide with the next phase of Operation Jigsaw. Anyone signing up for a visit from Brian Ingham will have their name put in to a hat for top prizes.