THE number of distraction burglaries, where often elderly victims are duped as their homes are targeted, have fallen by 20 per cent, police have said.

Hertfordshire Constabulary launched a crackdown in 2008 after a spate of brazen incidents and last year jailed a total of 12 burglars to a total of 46 years in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Liz Hanlon, who led the Operation Manhunt crackdown, said: "These criminals have a reputation of relentlessly targeting the older and more vulnerable people in our community and in turn, we make sure we relentlessly pursue them.”