There can be fewer more odious crimes than those committed by thieves who con their way into the homes of the elderly in order to steal cash and belongings.

These crooks think nothing of playing on the goodwill of residents and pretending to be in need to gain access to their homes so they can make off with cash and goods.

Very often the sums of money stolen are relatively small, but the loss is nothing compared to the fear and mistrust these criminals sow among their victims.

There have been instances in Otley recently where the same gang have been driving around targeting houses lived in by elderly occupants and offering to carry out building work.

One of the crew complains of a headache and asks for a painkiller tablet, following the unsuspecting householder indoors in order to carry out their real intent.

The majority of people who call door-to-door selling items or services, or representing utility companies, are, of course, genuine.

But the bad apples certainly spoil it for the rest, and it is unfortunate for the genuine callers but the advice to the elderly is simply not to engage with strangers on the doorstep.

Ask for proof of identification if they claim to represent a company or business – genuine workers will have no problem with this. Never let anyone into the house, even if they say they are desperate to use the toilet or telephone. And try not to keep large sums of money in the home.

Neighbours, too, can do their bit by keeping an eye on older neighbours and reporting any suspicious activity.

A feature of life?

While some protest about bloodsports was made when Bradford Council granted a ten-year shooting rights lease in 2008, subsequent debates over shooting and associated activities on Ilkley Moor have largely centred around balancing the rights of the various people who enjoy this landscape.

Shooting was absent from the moor for over a decade after Bradford Council decided against renewing shooting rights in the late 1990s, but was brought back in as part of measures to help with the management of the moor following the 2006 fire.

The future of shooting on the moor was again debated last year, when Bradford Council looked into issues brought to its attention, most notably, reports of friction between dog walkers and those tasked with protecting ground-nesting birds.

However, opposition to the principle of shooting wild birds for sport on the moor has not, by and large, been in the spotlight for some time when it comes to public debates about the continuation of shooting on the moor.

Given the few comments on the subject from the community of Ilkley in recent years, it remains to be seen whether the local population – many of whom walk on the moor regularly – will lend support to this most recent campaign, or if most accept grouse shooting is a feature of life in the countryside.