If householders want to cut back on home insurance claims, they should make sure that they remain vigilant when called to their doorstep, a national police force has said.

Wiltshire Police today launch their Stay Out Stranger (SOS) Campaign - which has been set up after a recent of distraction burglaries in the county. Between March and May this year, 44 such incidents took place in Wiltshire alone.

It will also target rogue traders, who try to exploit the weak and elderly, carrying out shoddy jobs and then charging extortionate prices for their 'work'.

"I think it is a good thing. My advice would be to ask for ID straight away. If they haven't got any, don't let them in," former Sergeant Major Ernest Bassett, 88, told the Wiltshire Times.

Mr Bassett recently won plaudits after having the bravery to stand up to an intruder who attempted to enter his home, slamming the door in his face.

"They say that they don't have any ID or use a fake one, but they have the same old saying that they want to switch something on or check pipes. Once one of them gets inside the other one comes in."