The Buddy Scheme has been launched across the City and Holbeck Police division, with special cards being handed out to local residents, especially the elderly, who are at risk of being targeted by bogus door step callers.

PCSOs Joanne Taylor and Alex Goodall were at Morley Post Office offering crime reduction advice and handed out the Buddy Scheme cards, on which residents can write a contact number of a person who the doorstep caller can phone on their behalf, whether it a neighbour, relative or warden, without having to open the door.

The card is not to be displayed all the time, as that would highlight the fact that an elderly or vulnerable person lives there, only when unknown callers knock at the door.

It is then the occupant can hold up the card against the window and attracts the caller’s attention to the contact telephone number.

Keith Pape, Morley’s crime reduction officer, said: “The event was well received and it is hoped that further crime reduction inputs will take place at the post office in the near future.”