Exclusive by Crime Correspondent Kirsty Smallman

Shropshire Pensioners are being duped by drug dealers and loan sharks into hiding vital evidence from police, a senior detective revealed today.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards, of Telford CID, today said innocent older people were unwittingly becoming involved in a “big criminal conspiracy” by agreeing to look after “books and accounts”.

He said pensioners bel ieved they were doing “a favour” for genuine businessmen and women.

But the books, which are vital evidence for the police, show exactly how much drug dealers earn by selling illegal drugs and how much money loan sharks demand their clients pay back.

He said illegal money lenders and drug dealers posed as genuine businessmen and told friends, family and neighbours they did not want to hold their own accounts in their own home due to security issues.

But they really need to hide the books away from their own property so detectives cannot find them during raids.

Mr Edwards today warn ed people they were getting involved in organised crime by holding such material and urged anyone who was holding such books to contact police.

He said: “These people are part of a big criminal conspiracy. They are the ones holding the books so therefore have the evidence. They are as guilty as the ringleaders themselves.”

He added: “The criminals know they are going to get searched so they find other places to store the evidence. Older people are especially vulnerable and are often used.

“Criminals are business people who are running an illegal business but they still keep accurate and up-to-date books which is the most valuable evidence for us.”

Mr Edwards said: “These people won’t say they are drug dealers or criminals when they approach their neighbours or friends. They will act as genuine businessmen and this is how these otherwise innocent people, especially older people who have never been in trouble before, get caught up in crime.”

Call police on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.