Local residents are being warned about an alarm company currently cold calling in the Lancaster and Morecambe area.

Sales staff are contacting householders by telephone and falsely claiming to be working with the police, while offering numerous free gifts such as security marking pens. The company are then using high pressure tactics to make arrangements for their sales teams and installers to call at the address.

Jan Brown, crime prevention officer for the Lancaster and Morecambe district, said: “If anyone is approached by this company, they must not feel pressured into agreeing to business on their doorstep.

“Often what may seem like a bargain at the time can be found cheaper from alternative retailers and advice is available from the crime prevention office who can supply information about choosing a domestic intruder alarm for your home.

“Lancashire Police will provide crime prevention advice and security marking pens free of charge and these are available from the main police stations in the area.

“The crime prevention office at Morecambe police station also offers free crime prevention advice about any issue and we would encourage people to come and talk to us if they need any advice.”

• For further advice, you can either visit or call the Crime Prevention team on 01524 596988 or Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.