A band of volunteers has been recruited by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to give peer-to-peer support to older victims of fraud and cyber-crime.

The Senior Scam Busters, which comprises of 13 predominantly older and retired people, will be trained to give fraud advice and guidance as well as signpost people to specific agencies when necessary.

More than 1,000 reports of fraud and scams are recorded every month across Greater Manchester and a large percentage of these are made by older members of the public who have fallen victim to telephone scams, online scams and doorstep crime.

The newly formed team will identify and contact victims over 60 years old from the reports, giving practical help and advice over the telephone to reduce the risk of them falling victim again.

The introduction of the Citizens’ Contract in October, saw GMP calling on communities to work together to create a safer Greater Manchester. The Senior Scam Busters will become an integral part of the policing family, attending community engagements and educating vulnerable people about fraud and how they can protect themselves from the scammers.