Bank staff are being trained in how to protect elderly customers from doorstep con men.

Sutton Council, Sutton police and banks, building societies and post offices in the town centre have signed the new Bank Protocol to help crack down on bogus traders who target elderly or vulnerable people.

Its aim is to train staff trained to ask questions if they notice a customer requesting an unusually large sum of cash.

Just a week after receiving the training, staff at one town centre bank persuaded a man in his 80s against handing over more than £15,000 for roofing work.

He had already paid in excess of £19,000 for a job thought to be worth £8,000.

All of the 18 financial institutions in the High Street have signed up to the scheme except one, which is developing its own, company-wide policy.

If the bank staff suspect the customer is being pressured into withdrawing it they will ask for their permission to contact the police.

Superintendent Phil Willis, who heads the Safer Sutton Partnership, an umbrella organisation containing the police and council, said: "These are despicable criminals because they are preying on elderly and vulnerable people by tricking them into withdrawing money for work that may never be carried out or work that is greatly over-priced.

Bank staff can help us greatly by questioning withdrawals that are out of character."

Details of approved traders can also be found at sutton.gov.uk/safersuttontrader or by calling 020 8770 5070.