THE urgent need for doorstep vigilance has been highlighted following a sudden spate of incidents involving bogus callers trying to con their way into pensioners' homes.

Police are investigating four incidents which all took place within hours of each other on the same day - all involving the same technique.

The tricksters struck less than a week after the launch of a campaign, spearheaded by The Northern Echo, to stamp out the scourge of doorstep crime.

In each incident, in North Yorkshire, the conmen targeted the homes of elderly people and posed as water board officials needing to check the taps or water supply.

One was at Cloughton, near Scarborough, while the others followed at Thirsk, at Swainby near Northallerton and finally at Stokesley.

The incident at Thirsk was typical of such crimes and happened at about 7pm on Friday, at the home of an elderly man, in the Gormire Close area. A man pretending to be from the water board called and claimed urgent repairs were needed.

While inside the house he managed to steal £70.

He was described as about 24, of slim build and with short blond hair. He was wearing a grey jumper and blue jeans and was believed to have had a Geordie accent.

The other incidents were similar but involved two men, using excuses which included looking for a burst main and checking equipment.

"We need to bring to the attention of people that if they are unhappy with the identity of any callers at their home they must refuse them entry," a police spokesman said.

The Northern Echo's Doorstoppers campaign has the support of police, trading standards, politicians and the utility companies.

One of its aims is to raise awareness of bogus callers and distraction burglars. Each year more than 250,000 homes are targeted.