PENSIONERS are being put on their guard against house callers after a blind man was robbed by a bogus insurance salesman.

Cleveland Police say the dark nights have brought a spate of thefts by people conning their way into pensioners' homes and stealing purses, cash and personal items.

In the latest, at Head Street, in Middlesbrough, two men claiming to be insurance salesmen called on a blind man. Once inside the house, one of them stayed for about 15 minutes chatting to him, and it was only after he left that the pensioner noticed his money box containing cash had been taken.

Detective Inspector June Scott described people who prey on the old and vulnerable as "a despicable breed".

She said: "These are people with no conscience, no morals and no thoughts but for themselves.

"We would urge people not to let strangers in their homes, to always ask for ID and to check it. If in doubt, they should ring the police."

Anyone with information on the latest incident, at about 5pm on Tuesday, should ring police on (01642) 303126 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.