A BOGUS council employee conned his way into two elderly residents' homes with the help of a photo identity card - but left without taking anything.

Kidderminster Police are investigating the "suspicious incidents" at the Worcester Road house of a man in his mid-60s and the Stretton Road home of a woman in her 80s, both in Kidderminster, on the afternoon of May 21.

Spokesman Peter Trueman said: "On both occasions the man entered the houses, after being invited in by the residents, on the pretext of being a council employee who needed to inspect the premises for repairs. He had a photo identity card around his neck on a string."

He added inquiries had revealed the man was not genuine.

The police are part of the Shuttle/Times & News-backed Keep 'Em Out campaign to combat so-called "distraction burglaries" against the elderly and Mr Trueman stressed the need to check callers' credentials.

"Photo identity cards add a degree of legitimacy to a person calling at the door. But the general advice is if people are unsure to contact the relevant authorities before allowing any person into the house."

The man is described as Asian, between 20 and 28-years-old, 5 ft 3 ins, slim and with short wavy black hair and long facial features.

He was wearing black trousers, a black padded jacket and black shoes.

Anyone with information should call Kidderminster Police on 08457 444888.