WAR has been declared on bogus callers who are targeting elderly and vulnerable peeople in Wear Valley.

This week a Government campaign called Stop, Chain, Check has pledged to protect the victims of callous callers who target elderly people with an average age of 81.

Actress Annette Crosbie, from the TV series One Foot in The Grave, features in a new video along with real-life victims showing people how to protect themselves when answering the door to strangers.

Home Office minister for crime reduction and community safety, John Denham, unveiled the video and a tool kit that will be given to carers and professionals who work with the elderly and the vulnerable, in Newcastle on Tuesday.

The campaign has been welcomed by Bishop Auckland Police, who are currently investigating a spate of 'distraction burglaries' in the area.

Det Con Joanne Turnbull said: "We certainly welcome this. A lot of the elderly do not have chains and just open the doors to these people.''

People living in bungalows in the Bishop Auckland area have recently been the victims of bogus callers claiming to be knife sharperners or from the Water Board.

One incident in Winston Road, in Staindrop, involved someone selling clothes from a suitcase and another intruder in Barnard Castle distracted the homeowner while his partner stole valuable antiques.

Det Cons Turnbull said: "Any excuse can be used to get into the home and we urge people to ask for identification.''

This week's launch has been set to coincide with the dark nights and the number of house-to-house callers for Halloween, bonfire night and pre-Christmas collectors.

Mr Denham said the Home Office Distraction Burglary Taskforce designed the campaign to help older people feel safer in their homes.

In the year up to April 2001 there were 16,000 reported distraction burglaries throughout the country but the estimated figure is substantially higher because people are too ashamed to admit to being duped.

Mr Denham said: "Distraction burglary is a crime that will not be tolerated and partnerships like the Taskforce will help us stamp it out.

"By working together legitimate callers, carers and older people themselves can all help to keep the door firmly closed to bogus callers.''