A countywide initiative to stamp out doorstep crime should help to protect Maldon pensioners, following a spate of incidents in the area this week.

Trading standards officers, police, social services, district councils and Age Concern have united in the Do's and Don'ts Campaign.

It was launched by Essex Trading Standards yesterday at County Hall, Chelmsford.

Sgt Neil Marshall, of Maldon Police, said: "Virtually every day over the last week there's been an incident of people conning the elderly, often claiming to have done work on the roof and asking for money.

"People need to be aware of the dangers and not give money to anyone who comes knocking at the door.

"They should call the police straight away if they think someone is trying to con them."

The new scheme is designed to give residents early warning before a conman calls, and support if a problem does occur.

It has been praised by Maldon's crime prevention officer, Pete Furlong, who said: "Any measure to cut down doorstep crime has got to be a step forward.

"People in the Maldon district have suffered enough with con artists, as have people in other areas.

"What makes it such a nasty crime is that old age pensioners are usually the ones who are targeted.

"Ideally we'd like to see this crime stamped out altogether."

The campaign is based on high level co-operation between organisers, trading standards, and other agencies responsible for providing services to Essex residents.

This week police sought a trickster who stole £80 from an 88-year-old Heybridge widow after claiming to have completed work on her roof.

There have been similar incidents all over mid-Essex as conmen pose as water, gas and electricity workers.

An Essex County Council spokesman said: "The campaign is the first of its kind in Essex and gives householders advance warning when rogue traders are operating in their area.

"It is supported by a network of organisations who share information and alert trading standards or the police when there is a need for action."

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