MIGHTY muscleman Garry Rowlinson has strong feelings about bogus officials who target the lone elderly.
He said: "I would aim for their testimonials and if they weren't genuine I would have to squeeze out the truth."
In the absence of being allowed to deal with cowardly customers in his inimitable Herculean fashion the former Mr Britain has put his full force behind a new police initiative designed to help society's most vulnerable.
He is backing the "nominated neighbour" scheme which is currently being piloted locally to tackle the growing menace of bogus officials - some who profess to be from the water, electricity and gas boards - who bluff their way into their victims' homes and proceed to terrorise and burgle them.
There has been a spate of distraction buglaries in the town and outraged detectives are determined to stop them.
In the new scheme an elderly person who doesn't welcome strangers to their doors can simply display a card in their window bearing the name of a trusted neighbour who can deal with calls.
"Hmm, that should be interesting if they are undesirables," said Garry, who has just opened a new gym on Pickford Street. "Would a burglar really like to come across me?
"I'd be happy to help my elderly neighbours," snarled the exceedingly muscular powerlifter as he hugged pensioners Betty Connor and Mary Storer. "And if they're rogue officials we'll see if they can read a meter with their heads stuffed through a letterbox."
Under the project, organised by the Crime Reduction Unit of Macclesfield Police division, elderly people are given a card to fill in.
Alison Gabbott, a crime reduction officers, said the aim was to remove the risk and the fear of distraction burglary from old people, especially those who are frail or who live alone.
"It is a particularly nasty type of crime and this scheme is basically simple, but should be effective," she said. "It gives neighbours a chance to offer a helping hand."
The yellow cards which have been issued to several old people carry a picture of a policeman and the words "I do not recognise you. Please go to number...who is my nominated neighbour. They will check your identity and return with you."
The card is shown through the door, with the door chain still firmly in place.
"If the elderly person has a telephone, he or she can then call the neighbour and warn him that someone is on the way round," said Alison. "If the caller is bogus it should be enough to put him off."
So far the scheme has been introduced among small groups of elderly people, especially those who had already been victims of bogus callers.
"Some of the old folk feel they are causing the neighbours a problem and are reluctant, but when relatives have asked on their behalf, the neighbours are delighted to help," said Alison.
"We are just beginning the period when daylight is shorter and crime generally - especially crime like burglary tends to increase," said Alison. "Anything that can a help people feel safer has to be helpful."
