POLICE in Hertfordshire are cracking down on bogus callers, with 16 people linked to distraction burglaries arrested in the county so far.

Operation Manhunt was launched at the beginning of this year to help counteract the increase in the number of distraction burglaries and rogue traders in operation.

Hertfordshire Constabulary officers, however, are not taking all the praise and have commended members of the public for their vigilance and reporting incidents.

The last six months has also seen a drop in the number of this type of burglary recorded falling from 353 to 309, compared to the previous six months figures.

Detective Chief Inspector Vic Kerlin said: "As well as arrests resulting from use of various special police techniques, these successful figures are the result of increasing vigilance on the part of members of the public.

"Our logging calls from the public related to suspicious callers are showing a marked increase.

"I would strongly urge members of the public to continue to report all suspicious incidents and burglaries as soon as possible so as to maximise the police's opportunities to arrest offenders."

July 18, 2002 16:00