A POLICE force is joining forces with an electricity company to help residents protect themselves against the dangers of bogus callers.

Yorkshire Electricity is working in partnership with North Yorkshire Police and People United Against Crime to get the message across that they can defend themselves against conmen.

A leaflet has been produced which gives advice and guidelines about how to check that a caller at the door is really who they say they are. It also features advice from other utilities, including Northern Electric, Yorkshire Water, British Gas and Transco.

North Yorkshire Police assistant chief constable, Peter Bagshaw, said: "Distraction burglaries cause a lot of distress, especially to the most vulnerable members of the community. Anything which can help us pass on advice to them about how to recognise a bogus caller is a real bonus to the information our officers already give out."

l A bogus council official conned his way into an elderly couple's home in County Durham, while another man stole cash from their bedroom.

Police urged pensioners not to let strangers through their doors following the incident in the Coundon area at about 11am on Wednesday.

Anyone with information should contact Bishop Auckland CID on (01388) 603566