POLICE are again warning elderly people to be extra-vigilant of hoax callers who are operating in the area, and have launched a new campaign to target these conmen.

With reports of people knocking on doors and tricking their way into homes occurring with alarming frequency the Hertfordshire Constabulary has launched Operation Jackpot II to blitz this spate of burglaries and attempted burglaries.

The campaign will mean that high profile police patrols will take place around the area, with anyone fitting descriptions of bogus callers stopped and checked.

The police will also be identifying who they consider to be the most vulnerable groups affected and next month will be giving a series of talks to warn and explain the dangers of bogus callers.

Chief Inspector Dave Moore said: "If we can get the message across to vulnerable residents through wardens, friends, family members and neighbours to use a door chain and not to let anyone into their homes unless they are absolutely confident they know the caller is genuine then we can reduce the number of these crimes."

One of the latest to take place in Welwyn Hatfield happened on Thursday, January 10, at around 1.15pm, when a woman living in a flat complex in The Ryde area of Hatfield was targeted by two men claiming they needed to check the meter .

When the 59-year-old man living in the flat opposite her opened his door and saw the men standing in the hallway, one of the hoaxers pushed past him.

Both men left the building and nothing was taken from either of the homes.

One of the men is described as white, 5 ft 10 tall, and with short light brown hair. He was between 18 and 20 years old. The second man was around 5 ft 8 tall and of slim build with a thin face and sharp features. He had slightly wavy dark hair.