Police team up to beat bogus callers

All four forces will pool intelligence and share expertise about dealing with so-called 'distraction burglaries', where thieves trick their way into the homes of elderly people to steal cash and valuables.

The drive, being launched today at a conference in Porthcawl, follows evidence that organised gangs are travelling the country targeting the elderly and vulnerable.

In October four distraction burglaries occurred across Gwent on the same afternoon. Police believe the same men carried out the attacks in Abergavenny, Raglan, Skenfrith and Newport, pretending to be from the water board or gas company to trick their way into their victims' homes.

After the Argus featured the story of Abergavenny pensioners Walter and Lillian Moore, who had their Christmas and holiday savings stolen by two men, there was a huge public outcry.

Mr and Mrs Moore were inundated with cash and cards from well-wishers disgusted to read how the couple, both in their eighties, were tricked out of their savings.

The new campaign takes a prevention-rather-than-cure approach to the problem of bogus callers, aiming to increase awareness of the problem and drive crime prevention advice home to vulnerable people in the community.

Mr and Mrs Moore now have extra locks and security alarms at their home.

Mrs Moore said: "Since the police came to fit the locks we feel much safer. Before we would have opened the door to anybody, but we were too trusting. We know to be more careful now and we keep the chain on."

Detective Sergeant Howard Salmon, of Abergavenny police, who headed a team investigating the burglaries, said bogus callers were "the scum of the earth".

He added: "This initiative has got to be welcomed. The people who carry out these awful crimes are the lowest of the low.

"We seem to be hit by this sort of crime in Gwent quite a lot because we are close to the M4 corridor. The emphasis must be prevention and protection with proper security measures."