A GADGET to help alert pensioners to bogus callers has been launched by community crime fighters.

Police and community organisations in east Durham have pooled resources to introduce the electronic device, known as a Memo Minder, to the homes of pensioners in selected areas of Thornley.

It works by emitting an invisible electronic beam which is broken when the householder goes to answer the door.

This triggers a pre-recorded message reminding them not to admit strangers or unexpected callers.

As part of the pilot scheme, 40 homes will have one of the devices fitted to a wall near the front door. If it proves successful, organisers hope it can be rolled out in other areas of the district.

The scheme is being introduced after bogus callers, often posing as workmen, conned their way into the homes of more than 400 County Durham and Darlington pensioners last year.

Cash and valuables were stolen from many, and police believe some of the callers may have been part of an organised group from outside the area.

According to their intelligence, the Easington division in east Durham - where 75 such offences were committed last year - is the next area likely to be targeted by the gang.

PC Graham Johnson, crime prevention officer in the Easington division, said the Home Office-approved Memo Minder should help protect pensioners.

"Elderly people are deliberately targeted by bogus callers posing as water board, gas board, electricity board or council officials," he said.

"Their motive is greed and their only purpose is to get inside the house to steal, particularly cash. They have no regard for their victims or the misery, distress and broken lives they leave behind.

"The Memo Minder is a simple but constant reminder of the dangers that might greet people on the doorstep."

The local Neighbourhood Watch branch will help monitor the scheme. Co-ordinator Anne Ward said: "If it is a success, we will be looking to attract extra funding to promote the scheme in other areas of Easington."