POLICE and North West Water have joined forces to launch a campaign to banish bogus officials from East Lancashire.

Criminals posing as employers of the major utilities continue to target the homes of the elderly and vulnerable - and offences are being reported at a rate of fifteen a month.

The Blackburn Community Crime Prevention initiative was launched by police this week with an aim of protecting homes in the area.

North West Water have added their support to the programme by donating 25,000 stickers reminding residents to always check caller credentials.

The stickers are be distributed to homes in Neighbourhood Watch areas throughout the town and are also available from the Citizen reception in Blackburn as well as Blackburn Police Station.

Sergeant Alan Holt, Blackburn police's crime prevention officer, revealed that eleven people had been arrested for bogus official offences in the past few months.

Sgt Holt added: "Elderly people are the main targets for these people who enter homes using false details and steal property. They normally operate in pairs where one distracts the occupant while the other searches the house.

"It has even been known for these people to take elderly householders to a bank or building society and withdraw cash."

Liam Mulcahy, NWW network controller, said that each employee received specialist training on how to deal with customers including passwords.

He said: "Every employee carries an identification badge with a photograph and contact number. If any of our customers have doubts they can phone to confirm the reason for our visit."

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