POLICE have said a big thank you this week to public-spirited citizens who reported a suspicious van in the St Martin's area of Marlborough on Monday.

They believe recent publicity in the Gazette about doorstep tricksters preying on elderly victims have made people more aware of suspicious callers.

Marlborough Police Station and the 999 lines received a number of calls from townspeople who were concerned about three men who were with the van.

PC Andy Sexton said: "We had a number of reports from members of the public about the three men who were cold calling in the St Martin's area at about 10am on Monday."

He said that the three men, who appeared to be from the travelling fraternity, called at homes offering to pressure clean or sand blast driveways or buildings.

PC Sexton said it was helpful that a number of the callers were able to not only describe the white van the men were using but also to give its registration number.

He said he was convinced that the public reaction was partly as a result of the Gazette's coverage recently of distraction offences involving elderly victims.

Last week the Gazette reported on the case of a 74-year-old St Martin's man who had his life savings of £17,000 stolen by bogus callers last year and had a repeat visit from burglars who took a further £400 on July 23.

PC Sexton said: "It does look as if with the help of the Gazette the police are getting the message through to people.

"If they are concerned about callers, even if they see them going to somebody else's house, they should dial 999 and call the police immediately."

Police patrols already out and about in the town were able to stop the white van and question the three occupiers.

He said: "We are restricted in what we can say at this stage other than to say they were of great interest to the police."

The three men, from the Cheltenham area, face possible charges for vehicle-related offences. Police inquiries continue into what they were doing in Marlborough.