A scheme to raise awareness of scammers and fraudsters in Bradford is under way.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards, supported by Big Lottery Funding, has begun the SAFER (Scams and Frauds Education for Residents) project, which helps increase knowledge and confidence in dealing with cold calling, scams and frauds.

Last year the organisation received more than 1,000 complaints about itinerant traders, doorstep crime and scams such as fake lottery wins, prize draws, bogus psychic predictions, investment cons and miracle health cures.

Trading Standards says most victims are older, vulnerable adult. In one case a 95-year-old was conned into buying a £3,000 mattress just three months after being conned into buying an identical product.

Over the next two years the SAFER team will deliver more than 400 community workshops covering a range of topics.

West Yorkshire’s Chief Trading Standards Officer Graham Hebblethwaite said: “The SAFER project will not only enable residents to feel confident in their communities and help protect themselves against itinerant traders and becoming the victim of scams, but it will also tackle the issues of fuel poverty and increase the health and wellbeing of older people.”

Residents interested in attending community workshops, or other organisations wishing to get involved, should contact Lanson Moore at lmoore1@wyjs.org.uk or on (0113) 393 9808.