POLICE chiefs have warned East Lancashire’s residents to take care during the ‘conman season’.

Officers have arrested four men suspected of preying on vulnerable and elderly victims in the Feniscowles area of Blackburn carrying out bogus repair work.

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The men were identified last week with two arrested in Burnley on Thursday and two in Darwen on Friday. In both cases they attempted to flee the scene.

Sgt Conrad Tapp, of Blackburn South West division, said: “Last week residents in the Feniscowles area were unfortunately targeted by males who purported to be experienced, professional builders.

“Police enquiries quickly established that the ‘builders’ were in fact bogus officials and that they were targeting vulnerable elderly residents.

“Their main goal was to obtain money fraudulently by claiming that urgent roof or drain work needed completing.

“Neighbourhood Policing Team (NHPT) officers working from the Community Centre at Mill Hill, quickly put interventions in place, which resulted in the apprehension of two males on Thursday.

“Although they made off from officers at the scene, they were followed through to Burnley and arrested.

“On Friday different offenders visited an address but again, NHPT officers were quickly on scene, resulting in two males being arrested in Darwen after they made off from the scene.”

Detectives are now asking homeowners to complete an online Home Security Assessment at thecrimepreventionwebsite.com to find out if their property is secure.

Anyone with elderly residents, neighbours or a family member who does not have access to the internet should put up No Cold Caller signs, install security lighting and CCTV, and work with neighbours to spot suspicious characters.

A spokesman for South West NHPT added: “The vulnerable victims were made to hand over thousands to these men and were clearly conned.

“We are urging all residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious work men who may cold call in your communities. “