Thousands of people being targeted by scammers will be helped to avoid becoming victims with a £260,000 grant from the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, David Lloyd.

The money will help to keep crime low in Hertfordshire and to focus on victims.

The Community Safety Grant is for the Herts Scams Support and Prevention Project, which will be run by Citizens Advice Hertfordshire for the next two years at a cost of £130,000 a year.

Funding will be used to employ three full-time scam advisors who will train 600 volunteers and other workers across the county to focus on fraud prevention and repeat victimisation.

Mr Lloyd says: “This is one of the biggest single awards I have made from my Community Safety Grant but cyber-crime and fraud is the most prevalent crime in Hertfordshire.

“I have always promised to keep crime low and help crime victims – this project will help do both and benefit at least two thousand residents.

“My role does not just involve policing, I have a responsibility to tackle the causes of crime and focus on changing lives for the better. These despicable scams often target elderly and vulnerable citizens. I want to take the embarrassment and shame out of being a victim of fraud so that we can provide support.”

Advisors and workers in the scheme will be trained to spot the signs of scam victims and offer face-to-face support for those who are being targeted. They will also work with partners across the County to raise awareness and help prevent people becoming victims

They aim to reach at least 2,000 over the three year period and help them recover any loses.

The grant follows a successful pilot last year in Three Rivers where over 400 people were supported and helped to avoid having money fraudulently taken.