POLICE are warning elderly people to beware of a team of bogus water company workers believed to be operating in the Sedgefield borough.

An 85-year-old woman was robbed after a man tricked his way into her home in Jubilee Road, Shildon, telling her he was checking pipes. She allowed him to turn on kitchen and bathroom taps while an accomplice stole a large amount of money.

An 80-year-old woman lost a substantial amount of money in a similar incident in the Burnhope area of Newton Aycliffe yesterday, and a Ferryhill pensioner was targeted last week.

Vigilant pensioners foiled what could have been two other attempts. In Sycamore Road, Fishburn, a 75-year-old man asked for proof of identity when two men called to check his water system. A third man appeared and they left.

In Sycamore Square, Shildon, at 3.30pm on Monday, a man claiming to be from a water company left after being asked for identity.

A police spokesman said: "Don't let anybody into your house unless they've got a prior arranged appointment. Check with the service provider, whoever they are, because the majority now warn people by letter that their workmen will be arriving, for security reasons."

Anyone suspecting the credentials of a caller should contact police on (01325) 314401, if possible noting the registration number of suspicious vehicles.