SCORES of North-East pensioners are to be given security gadgets in a pilot scheme to protect them from bogus call-ers, the Government said today.
An electronic device which plays a recorded message reminding pensioners to use their security chain or ask for identification, when they answer the door, will be set up in 1,300 households nationwide.
Participants in County Dur-ham and Cleveland will also be given mirrors to help them see around the door when the chain is on.
The Home Office is testing whether the measures could reduce the tens of thousands of distraction burglaries which take place each year, when thieves con their way into vulnerable people's homes.
"If it proves successful the devices will go into a pack to be distributed to vulnerable people by crime prevention officers," said a spokeswoman for the Home Office
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