NORTH Cotswolds Neighbourhood Watch is adopting two main priorities for next year - tackling distraction burglaries and bogus callers.

Stow-based co-ordinator, Andy Fogden, said new strategies would be used to tackle the problems, including increasing the number of cold calling areas in local market towns, such as Stow and Moreton, and encouraging residents to sign up to a new caller password initiative introduced with the help of Thames Water.

Local neighbourhood watch members and councillors were briefed on the new plans at a special event held at Stow Police Station on Thursday as part of the national Not in My Neighbourhood promotion.

Mr Fogden said: "We set up cold calling areas in Stow, Bourton and Moreton earlier this year and they proved very popular. Currently they cover Bartletts Park, Chamberlayne (corr) Close and Chamberlayne House, Fisher Close and The Park in Stow, and Cotsmore Close, Evenlode Gardens and Evenlode Road, Wellington Road, and Jameson Court in Moreton.

"In Bourton, there is a scheme in place at Springvale and Melville.

"We'll be extending the scheme in the coming months. Local co-ordinators will also be informing residents, especially the elderly and vulnerable, of the Thames Water Password Scheme which they simply sign up for giving a password that any employees will have to use when they call at homes.

"It's simple and it doesn't cost a thing. Many bogus callers turn up on doorsteps and say they're from the water board to gain access to homes, this scheme means callers must give a password as well as proof of identity before they are let in.

"We're aiming to sign up hundreds to the scheme."

Mr Fogden said the recent Northern Rock banking crisis had not helped the situation because people were now less inclined to put their money into banks and building societies, preferring to keep it at home.