HAMPSHIRE police and crime commissioner Michael Lane has launched a ’Scamnesty’ campaign to encourage people to report scams and to provide advice to help people avoid becoming victims of fraud.

The campaign involves a new online ‘safer pack’, Scamnesty post boxes, and Friday fraud roadshows.

Hampshire Police receives more than 700 reports of fraud or attempted fraud each month. Many of these are targeting elderly or vulnerable members of the community, and the consequences can be extremely damaging both financially and emotionally for the victims.

Mr Lane and his team can provide advice on how to identify and avoid fraud, with free safer packs which have tips on recognising different types of fraud, and information about how to access support if you think you or someone you know has been a victim. To download a pack, visit hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/scamnesty.

Mr Lane said: “As a scambassador for the national Trading Standards campaign, I am looking forward to raising awareness about the impact, financially and emotionally, that fraud has on residents.”

Scamnesty post boxes are available across the policing area at libraries and Citizens’ Advice locations throughout September for anyone to post suspected scam letters or junk mail.

In East Hampshire, the post boxes can be found in Alton and Petersfield Citizens’ Advice centres.

Suspected scams collected in the Scamnesty boxes will be analysed to provide better intelligence about the types of scams that target residents across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

From September 28, Mr Lanewill be working with Hampshire Constabulary, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, Trading Standards and other partners to run the Friday fraud roadshows. The roadshow will travel across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to help residents be more aware of fraud and how to avoid it.