SCHOOLCHILDREN have been recruited by police in a crime-fighting bid to tackle break-ins. Police officers throughout Somerset have been handing out greetings cards in schools for children to give to their elderly relations and family friends, which giv

SCHOOLCHILDREN have been recruited by police in a crime-fighting bid to tackle break-ins. Police officers throughout Somerset have been handing out greetings cards in schools for children to give to their elderly relations and family friends, which give advice on distraction burglaries. In these kind of burglaries, the victim of crime is distracted, usually by someone posing to be a salesman or water board official while the burglary is committed. Primary schools in Weston, Cheddar and Burnham have been given the cards which give crime prevention advice and useful contact numbers, with a space for children to decorate the card and add their own personal message. Superintendent Sandy Padgett said: "Thankfully this sort of crime is infrequent, but the impact can be significant. Some people have said they have suffered illness and stress after a burglary. "We hope the new scheme will also raise awareness of the issue to the whole community and help people play their part to protect their elderly and vulnerable friends from these callous criminals. The message is simple, if in doubt keep them out.