A NEW campaign has been launched to protect the elderly from rogue traders.

Essex County Council has teamed up with Essex Police and Age UK Essex for Be Sure at the Door.

It follows frauds totalling more than £1million when 18 pensioners in Colchester and Tendring were targeted.

Five members of the co-ordinated gang were subsequently jailed for a total of more than 27 years but many more appear happy to take advantage of the elderly.

As part of the campaign special “community agents” will visit homes to offer advice on cold callers and how to spot genuine traders.

Fridge magnets will also be handed out including contact details of who to call if you have concerns.

Det Supt Keith Davies, head of serious economic crime at Essex Police, said: “These gangs are known to target and groom elderly victims in order to steal their life savings.

“They leave many of their victims penniless and they often show no remorse whatsoever for the suffering and hardship they cause in order to line their own pockets.

“There can be no complacency around the scale of this type of fraud and I would urge the friends and family of any vulnerable elderly people to help protect them from these predators.”

Roger Walters, cabinet member for Trading Standards at County Hall, said: “Never do business with cold callers offering household maintenance and repairs. “Trading Standards staff are experienced in dealing with residents who have been targeted by these criminals and residents should not be embarrassed or afraid to get in touch.

“Only use traders who have registered with the Buy With Confidence scheme.

“Check online at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk or ring 08454 040506.”

And Andrew Gardner, chief executive of Age UK Essex, said: "It's incredibly important to give older people the confidence to say no to cold callers who knock on their door and this project aims to do just that.

“We're very pleased to be able to support the Be Sure At The Door campaign and raise awareness of the tactics rogue traders use to target vulnerable people in our community."