The blue bins are in libraries and community centres

A dozen blue Scamnesty bins have been put up in libraries, community centres and other prominent buildings where people can dump such letters.

The officers want post concerning suspected bogus lotteries, deceptive prize draws and sweepstakes, fake psychics, and miracle health cures.

They will then sift through them for information to track down the senders.

'Think again'

Many of those targeted by the crooks are the elderly and vulnerable.

It is thought that fewer than 5% of victims report the scam to authorities.

Trading standards manager, Ken Daly, said: "It's human nature, people like a bargain, they like to think they've won some money.

"Although 99.5% of people might just bin these things, obviously the scammers are still getting through to some people.

"Some people do send substantial amounts of money to these scams.

"Really think and then think again. How likely is it that you will have won a competition that you haven't even entered?

"So if it is too good to be true, it won't be true."