SAFETY advice has been issued by police to prevent further people falling prey to bogus officials.

The move follows two incidents involving elderly residents in Darwen.

Det Sgt Ian Critchley of Darwen CID said: "We want to reiterate to the elderly and other vulnerable the need to be vigilant.

"Door catches should be used and the identification cards of officials and their vans should also be carefully checked.

"If the person has any doubts they should not let the caller in.

"Anybody with a genuine reason for being there will be happy to wait.

"The problem occurs when these criminals get in the house start creating distractions."

A stocky white man aged about 30 with short straight brown hair and a local accent tricked a 77-year-old man at his home in Olive Lane.

He was allowed in to look at the gas meter and left without taking property after asking to use the toilet.

Two men, who claimed they were from a cable company and had cut a water pipe, distracted a 79-year-old woman before a third man sneaked into her house in Bolton Road and took £145.

All three were white and in their late 20s. One is thought to have had an Irish accent.