POLICE are warning elderly people to be on their guard after a bogus electricity worker called at a house in the Queens Park area of Blackburn.

The elderly homeowner became suspicious when the caller failed to produce proof of identity and the fraudster left. The incident happened at 7.45am on Tuesday in Old Bank Lane.

A police spokesman said: "Homeowners should be very careful and ask for identification. Most companies have a password scheme.

"If you have doubts about a caller, ring the company they claim to be from, and check they are legitimate. If they cause trouble, do not hesitate to ring the police."

Suzanne Rigby, Press Officer for electricity supplier United Utilities said: "Unfortunately this happens quite frequently. Figures show that the average age of elderly people targeted is 81.

"We launched a Government campaign in December with the Home Office. The simple three-step message is 'Stop. Chain. Check.'

"We hope this procedure will prevent potential victims falling prey to doorstep fraudsters."

United Utilities workers should always arrive in a marked company vehicle, and they will always have proof of identity.

"If there are any doubts, ask to see the identity card, shut the door, and call United Utilities immediately. Any of our workers will be happy to wait while you do".

The company also has a password scheme where customers can ask a caller to quote their chosen password before letting them in.

Mrs Rigby said: "We take bogus caller crime very seriously. Since April 2001 there have been over 16,000 distraction burglaries."