CRIME-busters in County Durham have produced two stickers to help residents deal with bogus callers.

The Sedgefield Burglary Action Group, formed under the crime and disorder partnership, aims to raise public awareness of the problem.

Stickers are being made available for residents, one to be placed in the front window advising callers that they will only be accepted by appointment.

The second sticker is for the inside of the door, to act as a reminder of the dos and don'ts when answering the door.

PC Neil Langthorne, crime prevention officer at Newton Aycliffe, said: "Bogus callers to the home, in the guise of water board officials, council officials and crime prevention officers, have recently been targeting the elderly in the region.

"In some cases, property stolen by these criminals has amounted to thousands of pounds, and often items stolen have sentimental value and cannot be replaced."

Residents are encouraged to use the door viewer and the door chain if necessary.

It is advisable to ask for identity, but PC Longthorne warned that an identity card is no guarantee that the caller will be genuine, and the simple message is to turn away anybody you do not know or who has not made an appointment.

The initiative has been coordinated by the Sedgefield Partnership in the Reduction of Crime (Sparc) and sponsorship has come from Help the Aged, Sedgefield Borough Council, Carelink, Home Safe and Sparc.

The stickers can be picked up at any police station in Sedgefield borough, or from any of the crime partners