ELDERLY people are being "ripped off" by alarm salesmen claiming to have the backing of the police.

Police said salesmen of a company -- based in the North East -- are targeting the elderly and the vulnerable in Blackburn and Darwen and urging them to have alarms fitted.

Officers said the salesmen claim to have the backing of the police and come up with crime figures for that area.

Police in the North East and neighbouring North Yorkshire have also received complaints of "high pressure sales techniques" from the company and are urging people to be aware.

Both forces deny having any involvement with the company despite the firm's claims.

But PC Andy Liptrott, of the Crime Prevention Unit at Blackburn Police, said the figures are not substantiated by them and said the company did not have police backing.

And he warned pensioners that the company was charging thousands of pounds for alarm systems worth no more than a couple of hundred.

PC Liptrott said: "Police are receiving at least 20 calls a day from elderly residents who have been targeted by salesmen in the Blackburn and Darwen areas.

"The company is from the North East and claim they are working in conjunction with the police, which they are not.

"When we have gone round to look at these alarm systems we have found they are worth no more than £150 yet the company is charging £3,000 - £4,000.

"The alarms are satisfactory but people are being charged way over the correct amount."

Although the company is not acting illegally, PC Liptrott said police were concerned over the manner of the salesmen, which he described as insistent.

He said they had targeted elderly people in both private homes and sheltered accommodation, and used "strong-arm techniques" often staying until a sale has been secured.

Blackburn with Darwen trading standards have been notified and are investigating.

Trading Standards in the North East, where the company is based, have also received complaints and are looking into the company and the Office of Fair Trading has launched a bid to take away the company's credit licence.

PC Liptrott said: "If people are going to buy an alarm system they should contact a local, reputable company that is NACOSS approved -- the governing body for alarm fitters."

No one from the company was available for comment.