Eight villages in the Wycombe District have been chosen for a pilot scheme, touted as the 'UK's first' parish-wide street association, to combat loneliness, isolation and fight doorstep scammers.

The Hughenden Street Association scheme is set to be launched next Monday (February 20) by local residents associations and the neighbourhood action group, supported by the parish, district and county councils, along with Thames Valley Police.

It comes after senior Trading Standards officer, Chris Holden, one of Bucks County Council’s scheme co-ordinators, said they had seen crimes against the elderly increase significantly in the past 25 years, adding that more than half of their criminal investigations are into fraud on people over 75.

The scheme aims to develop a “stronger sense of community” by working with the community to ensure everyone feels safe, encouraging neighbours to be ‘nominated neighbours’ and look out for older, vulnerable people, and directing people the right organisations for support.

Mr Holden said: “We want this scheme to make people feel safer and encourage neighbours to look out for one another, especially our more vulnerable residents.

“Dementia plays an increasing role in susceptibility to doorstep crime and, sadly, proportions increase with an ageing population.”

In the past two years, seven doorstep scams were reported in Hughenden parish, according to the county council, but Chris stressed these figures represented the “tip of a community crime iceberg”, with just one in 10 incidents ever reported.

He added: “The hidden nature of doorstep scamming is clear, as is the likelihood of under-reporting within Hughenden, which is why the Street Association scheme is so important.”

Across the county, annual losses from doorstep crime are estimated to be around £5 million and the average age of victims is 77.

In one incident in 2014, an older couple with dementia were groomed by scammers over seven months and tricked out of almost £1 million.

The scheme will also aim to improve the wellbeing of residents, especially during difficult times such as ill health, bereavement and isolation, with members being encouraged to “signpost” people they believe could need help.

Margaret Aston, cabinet member for community engagement and public health, said: “People's spirit of community is very welcome, and when there are issues, everyone is so good at pulling together.

“We’d like to encourage this spirit of goodwill to make sure that the most vulnerable enjoy the protection of their caring neighbours.”

The scheme will cover Great Kingshill, Naphill, Walter's Ash, Hughenden Valley, Widmer End, North Dean, Bryant’s Bottom and Cryer’s Hill.

Every community will have its own co-ordinator to rally residents’ support, and a toolkit with training modules is being assembled to heighten residents’ awareness of doorstep crime, how the scammers work, and how to recognise potential vulnerabilities.