Conmen take cash from two pensioners

3:44pm Friday 7th March 2008

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DETECTIVES are hunting a pair of bogus water board officials who preyed on two pensioners in Burnley within an hour.

Victims in Queens Road and Brunshaw Avenue were told by a doorstep conman there had been problems with the water supply.

But when the elderly women went to check their supplies, a sneak thief stole cash from each of the homes.

The victim in Queens Road was aged 84 and had £130 taken, when the bogus workmen called between 11.30am and 11.45am.

Det Con Gavin Rose, of Burnley police, said one of the men produced false identification, claiming to be from the water board.

Earlier a 70-year-old was targeted in Brunshaw Avenue, between 10.55am and 11.25am, and lost £28 in cash.

Police say the first man was aged 50, 5ft 5in, stocky, with olive skin. He wore a blue top and trousers and may be Eastern European.

The second man was white, slim, in his late 20s or early 30s and 5ft 2in. He was not seen directly at the first property but it is understood the pair met up later.

Witnesses to the Burnley burglaries should call DC Rose on 01282 472121.