A SPATE of bogus callers conning elderly and vulnerable residents in Ryedale has prompted police to re-issue warnings for people to be vigilant.

The calls came after two men claiming to be testing the water supply conned their way into an elderly woman's house on Sycamore Avenue, Malton.

They called at about 9.30am on Thursday, and told her to run the taps in the bathroom, keeping her occupied while they searched through the house and her belongings.

It was not known if anything was taken, and the only description police have is that the men were in their 30s and were wearing blue overalls and white shoes.

Less than a week earlier three youths made off with cash from an elderly man's wallet after they conned their way into sheltered accommodation in Kirkbymoorside.

In July there were similar incidents in Malton, Rillington, and two in Hovingham where bogus callers attempted to con their way in, mostly by using the excuse that they were testing water or clearing drains.

Community safety officer Sergeant Cliff Edens said: "The community safety partnership are putting together a long term plan to speak to elderly residents giving them crime prevention advice.

"This is something which is ongoing, and we need to speak to new residents as well as those who have forgotten.

"If people have elderly relatives they need to be visiting them and advising them - they should not feel bad about telling them what has been going on."

Sgt Edens said it was vital residents asked all callers to show some form of official identity.

"If elderly people are on their own they could call out to someone else in the house - it doesn't matter if there is no-one there, because the caller will be led to believe they are not alone.

"If anyone is unsure then they should call the police."

Updated: 11:57 Saturday, September 14, 2002