POLICE in Salisbury are stepping up patrols and calling on neighbours to help them clamp down on the rising tide of burglaries targeting the elderly and most vulnerable members of the community.

During the summer months, the Journal has reported an average of five distraction burglaries a week - the latest happening in Quidhampton, Salisbury and Ludgershall.

A joint initiative between Quidhampton parish council and the village's neighbourhood watch scheme has arranged for leaflets to be put through letterboxes in Quidhampton, urging people to be on their guard against callers who pose as water board officials or council workers to trick their way into homes.

The leaflet advises people to ask for identification, check with the company the caller claims to represent and to keep doors and windows locked.

Quidhampton parish council chairman Clive Vincent said: "The people who commit these offences are absolutely despicable because they target the old, frail and weak - the most vulnerable section of our society.

"The theft of property or money is one thing but untold damage is also done to the victims' confidence and trust in others."