POLICE across the area are warning pensioners to be on their guard against bogus officials and conning cowboys.

Incidents in Blackburn and Huncoat have prompted police to send out another warning to elderly residents about callers preying on their vulnerable natures.

In Blackburn, pensioners have been conned over the past months by workmen offering to resurface paths and drives at knockdown prices. And in Huncoat the problem of bogus officials tricking their way into the homes of the elderly has returned.

Blackburn Police's crime prevention officer, Sergeant Alan Holt said: "There have been a number of cases of groups of workmen conning elderly people. They can be very persuasive and won't take no for an answer but they must be avoided at all costs."

Police in Hyndburn are now hunting for two men who stole money from the home of an 81-year-old pensioner in Oakfield Avenue, Huncoat, after posing as council officials. Both hoaxers were white and in their 30s. One was 5ft 5in tall, of stocky build with short ginger hair and the other was 5ft 10in tall, with a moustache and shoulder-length blond hair.

Acting Detective Inspector Neil Hunter said: "Nobody should let anyone into their home without being shown some official identification."

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