TWO elderly women living near each other fell victim to distraction burglaries within hours of each other on New Year's Eve.

The first was in Crabbs Cross Lane, Crabbs Cross, at about 4pm when a man knocked on the door of an 84-year-old woman.

He asked if could use the phone and was allowed into the house. The woman later found a purse containing £55 cash and personal belongings had been stolen.

Between 6-7pm the same evening, a 94-year-old woman in the same area allowed two men in.

They said they had visited their auntie nearby and needed to use the toilet.

One went towards the toilet while the other stayed with her.

The next day, two purses containing £600 were found to be missing.

The man at the first distraction burglary is described as white, aged between 18-20, of slim build and about 5ft 6ins-5ft 8ins tall.

He has short dark hair, was clean shaven and wearing a black woolly hat with a light grey pattern on it.

He also wore light grey tracksuit trousers and a dark grey fleece.

Anyone with information can call Pc Jan Shelly on 08457 444 888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.