"INTIMIDATING" cold callers are pressurising elderly Worcester people into buying security systems by claiming there is a crime spree in the area.

City police say there have been two reported incidents so far from concerned people who say the company claims to have police backing - something the West Mercia force has roundly condemned.

The two complaints - made 10 days ago - were over probing questions such as "are you on your own" and "when will your husband be returning", which were followed up by an invitation of a free quote in the early evening.

Intimidating

"I'd remind people living on their own, not to let anyone into their home without checking the callers identity from the telephone book rather than a business card," said Dave Hancox, Worcester Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator for South Worcestershire.

He emphasised that vulnerable people were targets for those who did not like taking no for an answer.

"The company making these calls could be quite legitimate, but the approach they're using to sell their product is intimidating and wrong," he said.