One pensioner told how she was duped by a bogus caller

The Strathclyde force's initiative was launched at an event in Cranstonhill, Glasgow.

Officers are hoping that the city's elderly people will adopt the slogan "If in doubt, keep them out" to keep them safe from bogus callers.

Chief Superintendent John Wilson said: "In recent months there has been a number of elderly people who have been cruelly duped by bogus callers. In some cases, the crooks have escaped with people's life savings.

"These criminals target innocent and vulnerable members of the community by preying on their trusting nature.

"We want to highlight the menace of these heartless tricksters and offer people advice on how to avoid becoming a victim."

A play highlighted the danger of conmen

Police are hoping to press home the message with a series of roadshows as part of the Foot in the Door campaign.

Pensioners from across the city were invited to the launch event, which featured a play highlighting the dangers of bogus callers.

The impact of such crimes was explained by one elderly woman who lost several hundred pounds to conmen.

She told BBC Scotland: "You feel foolish and vulnerable. You lose confidence.

"These people are so clever. They can charm the birds off the trees and before you know where you are you have let them into your home, you have let them tell you all sorts of things that are not true and yet you believe them.