Police are to target bogus officials who prey on elderly people because they can 'smell their money'.
Chief Superintendent Adam Briggs, who covers the Spen Valley and Birkenshaw areas, claimed criminals could sniff out bank notes because of the damp smell they have.
He said: "I have known people's life savings vanish in 20 minutes. People who commit these crimes have no respect. Tackling these crimes is hard. I have dealt with elderly people who have been the victims of this kind of crime before and they still let these people in."
Chf Supt Briggs explained thieves referred to old people's houses as 'boats' because they were sometimes painted 'boat green' inside.
He said officers planned to raise the issue with Neighbourhood Watch groups and encourage members to look out for the elderly.
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