DETECTIVES investigating an alleged bogus officials scam in the Bishop Auckland and Teesdale areas have questioned two men and a teenager.

The three, who are all from the Cleveland area, were questioned at Bishop Auckland police station and released on bail.

Pensioners, mostly living in elderly people's bungalows, are alleged to have been among the targets of bogus callers in the area over the past few weeks.

A team has been hitting scattered village communities where they knock on doors and claim to be from a water company or offer a knife-sharpening service.

While the householders are distracted, one of the team enters the home and steals cash or property.

Detective Sergeant Billy Hughill appealed yesterday for anyone who had been visited by suspect callers recently to come forward.

He said: "This is a long standing problem but there have been several recent cases over a wide area, particularly involving pensioners.

"People should be aware that they should always check the identity of anyone who calls at their door and tell us if they are at all suspicious."

Anyone with information can contact Det Sgt Hughill on (01388) 603566.