GEORGE the vulture swooped in to the region yesterday to help warn the public to beware of scavengers.

The Griffon vulture - the largest bird of prey native to Europe - was used by County Durham police to kick-start their campaign, dubbed Operation Vulture.

Police are warning the public to be on their guard against credit card thieves.

Police research last year showed that criminals were beginning to ignore car radios and other property inside the vehicle, and were making straight for hidden wallets, purses or handbags.

The 9ft bird, worth £2,500, is the property of Durham Police wildlife officer, Sergeant Eddie Bell, who took it on after a zoo closed and it had nowhere to go.

The 11-year-old vulture is native to Spain and Africa, has a wing span of nine feet.

Operation Vulture was launched at Chester-le-Street Riverside Park yesterday.

In the first four months of the year, the constabulary's cheque and credit card unit investigated 456 reported offences of plastic card fraud - 53 per cent up on the figure of the same period last year.

Head of the force's intelligence unit detective chief inspector Tim Wilson said: "Unfortunately the standard crime prevention advice, to put valuables out of sight, is insufficient. This summer we urge people to carry credit cards and cheque books with them, and not leave them in the car."