A SPATE of distraction burglaries has led Wessex Water to warn people to always checking the identity of callers.

A spokesman said: "The key message is that if you are ever in doubt of the identity of a caller, then don't let them in and call the police."

Only last week there was a distraction burglary in Melksham, when a woman got into an elderly couple's house by using a young child as a decoy.

Wessex Water's name was not involved in this case, but the company is keen to point out that their staff always carry ID with a photograph, name and signature.

Staff are always willing to wait as long as it takes if a householder wishes to verify their identity by calling freephone 0800 731 5804.