BOGUS callers are once again targeting Irvine and Kilwinning residents.

Police have revealed that they have received reports about suspicious people attending various addresses across the towns.

They insist that cold calling crooks have been going round houses offering to carry out gardening work.

Vulnerable and elderly people have frequently been targeted by bogus callers in both towns and police insist that they have been actively working to eradicate the problem across North Ayrshire.

The Times told back in May how a 96-year-old Irvine woman became the latest victim of a bogus caller who fled with a three-figure sum of money.

The elderly woman was conned into believing that the man was carrying out water maintenance in her home in Irvine Mains Crescent on Tuesday, May 20.

Police confirmed to the Times that enquiries are still onoging into the incident.

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Our advice is simple - don’t deal with people who attend at your home uninvited offering to sell products or carry out work - just politely say no thanks and close your door.” North Ayrshire Council’s Trading Standards department are also working with police to tackle the problem and have produced an information booklet.

Anyone with any information on bogus callers or suspicious activity should contact police by calling 101 or call Trading Standards on 01294 310100.