DETECTIVES are investigating more than 20 reports of distraction burglaries in York and North Yorkshire.

The incidents all happened between June and October and a North Yorkshire Police spokesman urged people to look out for bogus callers who have so far posed as water board officials, jewellery or gold buyers, window cleaners, handymen, gutter or driveway cleaners, fish sellers and even someone replying to an advert for a lost dog.

Incidents this month included a man in his 30s stealing money from the handbag of a resident in Flower Garth, Scarborough, three men with Newcastle accents in a van marked Scottish Fisheries asking an elderly man for more than £80, two men stealing money from a handbag at a house in Springfield Close, Boroughbridge.

Last month, men posing as window cleaners, council officials and door-to-door sellers approached houses in Great Ayton and Harrogate, and residents in Selby have been allegedly been conned out of money by a 23-year-old man in the area who is due to stand trial in York this week.

Detective Superintendent Steve Smith, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "One of the best ways to tackle these people is to raise awareness about what they are doing and we all have the responsibility to keep an eye out for our elderly neighbours and relatives and try and educate them about the threat of doorstep crime.

"It is also very important to report suspicious people or vehicles to the police. We need to build up a picture of who is committing these offences and the more information the public provide us with, the better chance we have of catching them and bringing them to justice."

If you are the victim of a bogus caller or see anything suspicious in your area contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.