PEOPLE in Darlington are being warned not to fall prey to the high-pressure sales tactics of security companies after a string of worrying cases.

Consumer watchdogs have received reports of companies cold-calling in the area and using aggressive methods to try to persuade residents to buy extortionately priced security alarms and maintenance contracts.

Police and the local community safety team have received similar complaints.

The companies are said to be wrongly offering security surveys that are supposedly recommended by both the police and the borough council.

Trading standards officials said they were urging people not to believe claims that the products being offered were approved by the emergency services.

The police carry out security surveys on properties through beat officers and crime prevention officers.

The local authority does not recommend security surveys by outside agencies. It employs neighbourhood wardens who carry out checks, but these only lead to advice being given, not alarms sales.

Councillor Chris McEwan, the council's cabinet member for community protection, joined the calls for people to stay on their guard.

He said: "It is important that we advise the public about this matter.

"We would urge anyone who is approached by a company claiming to be council or police-approved to telephone trading standards or the police for their own peace of mind.

"Any person receiving a telephone call or a cold-calling salesperson offering service at the door should politely decline and contact their crime prevention officer, neighbourhood wardens or trading standards. All police and council staff carry identification badges and will produce them on demand."

The reports have come a week after bogus house callers, claiming to be from a local water company, tried to trick their way into homes in Darlington and south-west Durham.

For security surveys, or any other advice, contact police crime prevention officer Ian Clelland on (01325) 346824, neighbourhood warden Antony Sharp on (01325) 346840, community safety officer Jacqui Snowball on (01325) 346832, or trading standards on (01325) 388582.