POLICE dogs used in teaching youngsters to say no to strangers are helping to ensure their grandparents avoid falling prey to doorstep conmen.

The Durham force's Labradors Jet and Ben have toured the county's primary schools for years but now are visiting pensioners groups to reinforce the message about bogus callers.

Last year there were 142 reported doorstep crimes, a further 69 attempted thefts and in the first two months of this year there have been 21 crimes and 16 other incidents. Most involve callers claiming to be from utility companies who get into homes by pretending to be carrying out checks and then steal money.

Police are using Jet and Ben to promote the Nominated Neighbour scheme, which encourages pensioners to refuse entry to anyone they do not recognise and direct them to a neighbour who will check their credentials.

The dogs have given the say no to bogus callers message to hundreds of pensioners and will be visiting Sacriston and West Pelton later this month.

PC Ingrid Hudson, Jet and Ben's handler, said: "We are trying various ways to keep people on their guard and the dogs are popular with audiences of all ages. Taking Jet and Ben on these group visits is an ideal way to promote the Nominated Neighbour scheme."