ELDERLY people in Worc-estershire are being warned to be on their guard against bogus tradesmen and officials following two distraction burglaries within just 20 minutes.

The incidents happened at properties in Worcester and Droitwich on Tuesday. The first happened at 12.55pm at Hillery Road, off London Road, Worcester.

The man answered the door to three men saying they were from the water board. He later discovered that £25 had been stolen from his house.

Then, at 1.15pm, two or three men pretending to be water board workmen operating nearby partially searched a woman's home in St Mary's Road, Droitwich. Eighty pounds of her pension money was taken. In the first incident, one of the men is described as white and in his early 20s.

He had dark hair and was wearing a blue duffle coat.

In the second, one of the men is described as white, in his 20s with a slightly Scottish or Irish accent. He was rosy-faced and "wholesome-looking", with fair hair and skin and possibly wearing a blue checked shirt.

A police spokesman said: "In both instances, elderly and totally unsuspecting members of the community have been ruthlessly targeted by two or more criminals.

"These heartless men have lied their way into the homes of two innocent and vulnerable people who were not in a position to prevent them from gaining access.

"We urge friends, relatives and neighbours of the elderly and vulnerable to emphasise to them how important it is to keep their homes secure and not let anyone in unless they are absolutely sure of why they are there.

"It is vital that this message is passed on regularly to make it effective."

Anyone with information is asked to call 08457 444888, quoting 281S/061205 for the first incident or 308S/ 061205 for the second.