POLICE chiefs want to crack down on burglars who impersonate police officers - and are asking local people to help.

The appeal comes following a spate of robberies by bogus cops in recent months.

SAM has reported several cases of elderly people being targeted - but police say many people are still not heeding the warnings and the number of con artists gaining entry is on the increase.

Detective Sergeant Steve Goodwin, of Altrincham police, says: "This year we've already had 12 reported cases of bogus police officers turning up at the homes of elderly residents, mainly in the Sale, Broadheath and Timperley areas. These incidents seem to be continuing despite our efforts to warn people to be vigilant."

He told SAM that in most reported cases, the fake officers tend to work alone or in couples, are in their late twenties or thirties and explain the fact they are not wearing a uniform by saying that they are under cover.

"There's no doubt who their targets are - they go for the elderly, because they are the vulnerable members of society," he goes on.

One recent crime saw an 84 year-old woman from Timperley robbed when a man called at her home saying he was investigating burglaries in the area. He quickly showed her a supposed police ID card before gaining admission and helping himself to all the cash she had lying about.

DS Goodwin says: "The message from police is clear - if in doubt, check them out.

"A genuine police identity card will have a GMP logo on the top left hand corner, and if you still have suspicions about the officer at your door make them wait and give us a call."

But it's not only bogus bobbies who are doing the rounds - there are fake gas and water officials as well. If you are suspicious, a call to the relevant company to check out the person at front door is a good idea.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.