THE number is up for malicious callers in the North West, according to BT.

A Blackburn-based special unit, which this week celebrated its fifth birthday, is now dealing each month with up to 3,000 calls for help from victims of phone pests.

And it is having significant success, thanks to the latest digital technology and the unit's links with police forces throughout the county.

The number of victims contacting BT's malicious calls bureau has risen by 73 per cent since 1992.

Over the last five years, staff at the bureau, which serves 3.8 million customers from Cheshire to the Scottish Borders, have handled more than 160,000 complaints from victims of unwanted calls.

In 1996/97, there were 40 successful prosecutions of nuisance callers in Lancashire. Many more were cautioned by police. Offenders can be sent to prison for up to six months or fined up to £5,000. Centre manager Ian Hall said: "Malicious calls can be extremely traumatic but victims are often reassured by our ability to help them.

"We have a highly-trained team which not only gives comfort and advice to victims but also uses the latest digital telecommunications technology to assist police in tracing callers.

Staff liaise with five police authorities, including Lancashire, and connect more than 100 call tracing devices to phones every week. There are around 1,000 in place at any time.

Mr Hall said: "BT takes this problem very seriously.

"Although more people are coming to us it doesn't mean the problem is growing at the same speed. It is rather that more people know we are here to help."

Two-thirds of victims are women and two-thirds of callers men.

Anyone who needs help can call the bureau free on 0800 411426 or 0800 666700.

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