POLICE are warning pensioners to be on their guard - after two elderly women were targeted by conmen.

One of the victims was a 92-year-old woman who was at home in Grange Road, Cuddington, when a man called round claiming to be from the water board.

He told her that water was leaking from her house and that he needed to check it.

When she asked him for some ID, he produced documentation and she allowed him in.

It was then that a second man came into the house and stole her purse.

The first suspect was a white male in his mid 20s. He had bushy hair and was tall and stocky.

The second man was slightly shorter, thinner and younger. Both wore navy blue suits.

Police believe that two groups of bogus callers may be in the area because the second incident does not seem to be linked.

It happened in Vale Road, Marston, when a man called at a house belonging to an 86-year-old woman. He told her he was from the corporation (an old word for the council) and said he had come to check her water pressure.

She let him in and he asked her to empty her cupboards. It was then that she began to get suspicious and persuaded him to leave.

After he left she discovered that another offender had searched the wardrobe and drawers in her bedroom.

The offender is described as a white man in his 40s. He was around 5ft 8in with short hair. He was wearing a shirt and tie.

DS Nigel Wenham said: "People particularly the elderly should be extra vigilant.

"Workers with the utilities all carry ID and a contact number which you can ring to verify they are genuine."

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