OFFICIALS were meeting today in a bid to stamp out distraction burglaries throughout Worcestershire.

Executives from Severn Trent Water, officers from four police forces and members of the National Distraction Burglary Task Force were meeting at a Home Office conference in Birmingham to discuss the problem.

Figures revealed only a seven per cent detection rate in the crime throughout West Mercia.

The task force was due to launch its Good Practice Toolkit, together with Severn Trent and South Staffordshire water companies, sponsors of the project.

"We take bogus crime very seriously and we're pleased to be able to contribute to preventative measures like this toolkit," said Brian Duckworth, managing director of Severn Trent.

It includes a guide aimed at police, health workers and utilities employers, a video for older people, who are the main target of distraction burglaries, and devices that can be installed in homes to prevent the crimes.

Leaflets and door stickers will be available from local councils and police stations.

Between April 1, 2000, and March 31, 2001, 195 cases of distraction burglary were reported in the West Mercia area.

Police estimate the figure is much higher, but believe people are reluctant to come forward as they are embarrassed about being duped in their own homes.

The average age of a victim is 81, 60 per cent are women and the vast majority live alone.