The Bexley scheme -- the first in the Metropolitan Police area -- identifies vulnerable people who need protection from crime and then provides it.

Armed with £200,000 of Lottery cash over three years, the Bobby Van scheme was launched in February last year -- and it has already helped more than 1,000 people.

It's a godsend for people such as 91-year-old Annie, from Erith. She was the victim last year of two conmen who tricked their way into her home posing as workmen about to move an underground cable.

While one kept Annie occupied in the garden, the other got into and searched her house. She caught him upstairs and threw the men out -- but not before they had stolen £7 from her purse.

Victim Support Bexley visited her to help her get over the incident and suggested a visit from the Bobby Van.

"I had never heard of it before," Annie confessed. Handyman Lee Ransom, who operates the scheme, went to her home and fitted new locks and a security chain.

And the chain saved Annie from falling victim to thieves a second time, when someone tried to break in one night while she was in the house.

"I feel a lot more secure," she said. "It is a wonderful idea."

The scheme is administered by Victim Support Bexley with help from the police, particularly Bexleyheath's crime prevention officers.

It is aimed at people like Annie who have already suffered a break-in, and vulnerable people such as the elderly, disabled or people living on their own. They can be referred to the scheme by a variety of organisations, or ask for help themselves.

Crime prevention officer PC Jane Gray explained: "It enables us to get to potential victims of crime before anything happens. We are thrilled to bits with it."

She often visits people following a break-in to advise them on how to improve their security.

She said: "It is tremendously stressful for them if they then realise they cannot afford to have these things done, or their insurance company says they cannot have it."

Mr Ransom has so far installed security equipment in 1,034 homes -- well above the scheme's quota -- and has had training from both Victim Support and the police.