BANKS and building societies are joining the war against doorstep crime in County Durham.

Durham County Council's trading standards service is teaming up with the financial institutions to clamp down on cold callers who escort people to withdraw money for their vastly over-priced work.

Phillip Holman, the council's head of trading, said: "This is an increasing problem in many parts of the country, with so-called tradesmen knocking on the door of often vulnerable people telling them work needs to be done on their property.

"Often, the work doesn't need to be done at all and the price charged is so vastly inflated that people do not have the money in the house to pay.''

He added: "We have heard reports of people being taken to withdraw money from their accounts under the supervision of these unscrupulous traders, so we are working with banks and building societies to help their staff identify when this may be taking place.

"They will then be able to offer support to the householder and contact the appropriate enforcement agencies."

Councillor Don Ross, deputy leader of the council said: "We welcome the opportunity to work with business partners to prevent rogue traders targeting vulnerable people in our communities and stealing their savings.''

Trading Standards consumer advice can now be contacted on a new local rate number 0845-3303 313.