Fraud warnings delivered with prescriptions

Staffordshire Police has teamed up with local pharmacies to help elderly and vulnerable people protect themselves from fraud.

Under the initiative, four pharmacies are distributing more than 1,000 crime prevention leaflets with prescription deliveries every three months.

The leaflets contain tailored advice on how to spot scams and avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

Sergeant Viet Vo, who has led the project, said: "We know many vulnerable people who are at risk of falling victim to this type of crime do not always have access to the internet, which is why we launched the project."

He said including the leaflets with prescriptions would help police "reach people who may not otherwise engage with our support services" and encourage them to think about "their safety at the same time as their health".

The pharmacies taking part are Touchwood Pharmacy at Three Spires Centre, Touchwood Pharmacy at Boley Park, Whittington Pharmacy on Main Street and Prescription Care Services on Tamworth Road.

The campaign follows a number of fraud cases involving elderly victims.

In June last year, at Stafford Crown Court, a couple were jailed after targeting a 75-year-old man and stealing more than £30,000 through a series of scams.

More recently, elderly residents in Wolverhampton were conned out of thousands of pounds by fraudsters posing as police officers.

Victims in their 80s were told to place large sums of cash in envelopes for collection by a supposed officer, with two residents handing over a combined £10,000.

Five 19-year-old men were arrested on Thursday 17 September in connection with that investigation.

Jas Riat, superintendent pharmacist and owner of Prescription Care Services, welcomed the initiative by Staffordshire Police.

"It is really positive that Staffordshire Police is being proactive in reaching out to vulnerable people," he said.

"The partnership reminds people to stop and think before sharing any personal or financial information."

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