elderly and vulnerable people have again been urged to be on their guard against doorstep conmen after a bogus caller stole £5,000 from an 88-year-old Scarborough woman.

After tricking his way into the pensioner's home, the man, who claimed to be from a water company, asked her to run downstairs taps while he went upstairs.

It was only later that the victim realised her money was missing.

North Yorkshire County Council's executive member for trading standards, Councillor Carl Les, described the theft as an appalling crime.

"Elderly residents are all too often the targets," he said. "We are working hard in North Yorkshire to reduce this sort of thing and to educate older adults on how to avoid becoming victims.

"Our advice is to only answer the door with a chain or bar attached, never allow anyone into your home unless you are satisfied of their true identity, and never ever keep large sums of money in the house."

Coun Les said genuine callers would expect to have their identities checked.

"The trading standards department can also provide Check Them Out cards which list the telephone numbers of the main utility companies operating in North Yorkshire so householders can check the identity of anyone claiming to represent them," he said.