A NEW protocol to help protect residents from bogus callers and rogue traders is being introduced.

From June 1 all Caerphilly County Borough Council employees who call on residents in their homes will be able to provide photo-identification and a telephone number for householders to check identity.

The council is the first in Wales to introduce the new protocol. Bogus callers gain the confidence of residents by posing as representatives of bone fide organisations such as electricity and gas companies, local authorities and the police.

Their aim is to commit distraction burglaries and steal savings and possessions - with an average value of between £3,000 and £4,000 being taken at each offence.

Last year, there were around 16,000 distraction burglaries recorded in the UK. Nearly 100 of these were recorded in the Gwent Police area.

Rogue traders add to the misery by selling goods and services door to door that can turn out to be of poor quality or even be unsafe.

Caerphilly council now pledges every employee calling on residents in their homes will:

Introduce themselves and explain the purpose of their visit Show photo-identification Provide an enlarged identification card for residents with sight difficulties Provide a 24-hour hotline number - 01443 815588 - so any residents concerned about the identity of a caller can telephone to verify the person on their doorstep is who they claim to be. Agree to call back on another occasion if