Officials of Bajina Basta in Serbia have issued a public warning to the region's inhabitants: Sava Savanovic has escaped, be watchful.

Sava Savanovic, the Serbians' most feared monster, is believed to be haunting the area after the old watermill in which he used to live has collapsed recently, The Sun reports.

“People are worried. Everybody knows the legend of this vampire and the thought that he is now homeless and looking for somewhere else and possibly other victims is terrifying people. We are all frightened,” declared Miodrag Vujetic, the local mayor.

Locals use all the known techniques that could keep them safe. The officials advised them to put garlic at their doors to chase the vampire away.

As a consequence, garlic sales in Bajina Basta have risen considerably.

“It’s all very well for people who don’t live in the area to laugh at our fears but nobody in the region is in any doubt that vampires do exist,” said Miodrag Vujetic.