PENSIONERS were given advice on everything from bogus callers to taxi services yesterday.

Staff from Pennywell's Safer Estates Task Force, a partnership between Northumbria Police and Sunderland Housing Group, visited elderly people at Bellingham House residential home to advise them on security issues and tackle their fear of crime.

David Hall, from the task force, said: "The session gave staff the opportunity to speak to elderly members of the community who felt vulnerable or were unsure of how to deal with a situation such as a bogus caller.

"We all hear and read about incidents like this and think it will never happen to us.

"This may be the case, but knowing what to do and how to handle situations makes elderly residents less vulnerable and makes them feel safer, which is just as important.