The Essex Chronicle has received praise for its bogus callers campaign - alerting people to the dangers that can be posed by unwanted callers.

The action to stamp out con men - who particularly target pensioners - was launched at the start of the summer.

The newspaper has highlighted the need for community vigilance and has handed out hundreds of stickers to highlight the message.

Editor Stuart Rawlins said: "The warning to keep unwanted callers out appears to be getting through but cannot be repeated enough to ensure that those who prey on the vulnerable do not get away."

Maldon District Crime Prevention Panel chairman Peter Newton said: "Members have expressed their appreciation of the way the Essex Chronicle had, on several occasions, given good publicity and coverage to the efforts of the police to combat the current problem and concern to many elderly people.

"It is hoped that working together and with plenty of publicity from the various organisations, the worrying factor of bogus callers preying on the elderly can be greatly reduced."

The Chronicle campaign, already backed by the Essex Trading Standards, is receiving support from a separate initiative from the British Gas/Help The Aged Partnership, which has launched the National Senior Safety Campaign to help combat bogus caller crimes.

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