Gardai in Sligo have warned householders and in particular the elderly about bogus officials and labourers calling to homes in the area in attempts to defraud them of cash.

In one incident in Sligo town following the recent cold snap, a male, posing as a bogus Corporation official and wearing a fluorescent jacket, asked to check the water pressure in a house.

Once inside the premises he used the opportunity to enquire from an elderly victim about cash held in the dwelling.

This culprit is described as being middle aged, tall and with dark hair.

In another incident in the Grange area, a male, posing as a Garda, enquired from another elderly victim about cash held in the house.

When the cash was presented, the occupant was distracted and a quantity of the money was removed.

Gardai have also reported that a number of males, posing as manual labourers are offering to carry out 'tarmac jobs' around the house.

They travel in a large white tipper truck van with English registration plates and appear to have the equipment to carry out the work.

They recently intimidated a victim in the Cliffoney area of North Sligo into paying an exorbitant fee for shabby work.

The males are described as being in their late 30's and speaking with English accents and dressed in work clothes.

"Elderly and vulnerable persons living alone should be extremely vigilant about callers to their homes," warned the Crime Prevention Officer at Sligo Garda Station, Sergeant James Fox.

"Any legitimate official or a Garda will have proper identification and people should ask to see it, before letting anyone into their homes. If people have any doubt they should telephone the Gardai immediately.

"They should request this identification and verify the same before agreeing to have any work carried out, or offering any payment for same," Sergeant Fox added.

- MICHAEL MORAN