Hertfordshire Constabulary has admitted there was a "communication gap" when trying to warn elderly people about potential crime in Three Rivers.

"Senior Watch", a new neighbourhood watch scheme, was officially unveiled on Monday, September 22 at The Clitheroe Club, Clitheroe Gardens, South Oxhey.

The initiative aims to reach more elderly people across the district and warn them of potential crime and give advice on how to avoid it.

But Sergeant Luke Mitchell, who leads the Oxhey Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "We came up with the idea after a number of phone scam incidents which occurred in the area.  

"We noted there had been a communication gap in getting information to elderly people quickly about scams and incidents which may affect them. OWL and social media is an excellent way to communicate with the public but we needed to think of better ways of supporting those who don’t use these platforms."

Police community support officers from the three Safer Neighbourhood Teams in Three Rivers have been meeting with people who manage care homes, social clubs, sheltered housing and retirement complexes in a bid to create a database where officers can pass on information about crime.

Sergeant Mitchell added: "Typically crimes which affect the elderly can include phone based scams, and doorstep crime such as distraction burglary or rogue traders. Now, if we have a spate of crime which we need to communicate to people urgently, we can send out an email to these contacts or attend local clubs and have the information shared to hundreds of potential victims." 

Kerry James, Age UK Hertfordshire said: "We’re pleased to be working with the police on this project and welcome the additional support they can give both the staff and our clients, this will enable the police to sign post vulnerable people to our services and allow us in turn to raise concerns to them."