POLICE are warning homeowners in Backwell to be on their guard from bogus callers. The warning follows several distraction burglaries in the area over the past months. In one incident a man pretending to be a water company official managed to persuade a

POLICE are warning homeowners in Backwell to be on their guard from bogus callers.The warning follows several distraction burglaries in the area over the past months.In one incident a man pretending to be a water company official managed to persuade a householder to let him in to turn off the stop cock.Fortunately the occupant became suspicious and asked the man to leave.In a separate incident, three men called at a house pretending to be police officers.The homeowner let them in and the gang stole a quantity of cash before fleeing.Backwell Police Community Support Officer Charlotte Thompson said: "These incidents prove that this message is still as important as ever. Until you are satisfied that the caller at the door is 100 per cent genuine, then keep your door shut."Police are reminding people to look through the spy hole or window and ask through the door who the caller is.They also recommend asking the caller to post an ID card through the letterbox or ringing the company to check the caller is genuine.PSCO Thompson added: "There should be no need for anyone to enter the house without the correct identification."In most cases the water company can turn off the water supply from the street and do not need to enter the property."People should keep their doors shut and ask for ID.