POLICE have been driving home the safety message by encouraging the elderly to think twice before opening their doors to strangers.

Officers say that over the past few years, particularly during the summer months, would-be thieves have been adopting a variety of guises to try and con their way into homes across Herefordshire.

Between May 5, 2003 and May 5, 2004, Herefordshire had 51 recorded incidents of distraction burglary and bogus calls.

This year, in a bid to reduce the number of victims, Herefordshire Community Safety Partnership is spearheading a campaign involving West Mercia Constabulary, Herefordshire Council's trading standards and others.

A booklet has been produced and distributed to homes in Ledbury where the initiative was launched yesterday.

The booklet, called Think Twice, offers advice on how to answer an unexpected call at the door.

The pack includes a laminated window notice giving a clear message to anyone thinking of pressing the doorbell to commit a crime.

"Forewarned is fore-armed," said PC Charles Naylor, Herefordshire division's crime risk manager.

"Often the offenders use the tactic of surprise on their victims. Our aim is to render this tactic useless, so that all older people are aware of this type of offence and, more importantly, how to avoid it and deal with it if it does happen."