CLEVELAND police are cracking down on cowboy builders after a number of pensioners have been duped.

Langbaurgh police revealed that three lone pensioners have been targeted by con men in the last four weeks.

The bogus builders have offered to carry out work from fixing a house gable end to block paving a driveway. Each of the householders handed over cash but no work was carried out.

Now police have launched Operation Roof Rack, which started on Monday.

Officers will carry out stop checks on builder's vans in the area and community policing teams will be on the look-out for the cowboys who are cold calling the elderly across East Cleveland.

Det Insp Chris Garner, head of intelligence in the Langbaurgh district, said: "We are out to target those intent on robbing vulnerable people of cash by offering to carry out unnecessary work with no intention of coming back.

"Reputable companies should not be concerned about the operation. In fact, the ones we have spoken to are thankful because it is these rogue traders that give the building industry a bad name."

Crime prevention officers will be calling on the elderly to give advice and to remind them to check identification and references. Also any work should be done before any money is handed over.