POLICE are seeking witnesses after three distraction burglary incidents in the Lowestoft and Wrentham area.

Elderly residents were targeted in a spate of incidents on Saturday evening (November 13). About 7.15pm a man in his 80s heard a knock at the door of his home in Bonsey Gardens in Wrentham and answered it to find a white man, about 5ft 6ins to 5ft 8ins tall, of proportionate build, in his 30s with short hair, who claimed to be working on the water supply nearby and wanted to check his taps to ensure they were working.

He pushed past the resident into the property and turned on taps in the kitchen. Moments later the resident saw two other men leaving his home. As soon as the first man saw them go he left as well. The resident then found that cash had been stolen from his wallet.

'Police are linking this incident to two others in Lowestoft around the same time,' a police spokesman said.

Between 7pm and 8pm, at Lorne Park Road, a woman in her 80s heard a knock at the door and answered it to find a white man, about 5ft 11ins, of medium build, aged in his mid 20s to 30s, wearing a black three-quarter length coat, a black woolly hat and a scarf partially over his face, who walked into her home saying he was putting a new water system in next door and that he needed to check her water was okay.

The man went into her kitchen where he proceeded to distract her by fiddling with the taps and going under the sink. The woman then noticed a second man – also white, of similar age, height and build and also wearing a dark coat and woolly hat - in her home. The first man explained he was a colleague and continued to talk to her about the water before both men left.

A short time later the woman discovered cash had been taken from her purse.

The third incident happened at a home in London Road Pakefield about 7.45pm.

A woman in her 70s heard a knock at the door but wisely did not open it but instead began having a conversation with a man through a window in the door.

The man wanted to gain access to her home claiming that a neighbours washing machine was leaking and that the valves under her sink needed adjusting.

Being extremely alert, she did not believe him and kept the door shut. The man then stated that if she didn't let him in her kitchen would flood. The lady then told him she was going to call police and as she was making the call the man left.

'Police are appealing for information about the incidents and are asking anyone who was in any of these areas between around 7pm and 8.30pm to call if you saw anything that may help enquiries – perhaps the men or any vehicle they may have been using,' the police spokesman said.

'Officers are also urging residents to follow the example of the lady at London Road Pakefield. Never let strangers into your home without checking their identity and always alert police immediately using 999 if you have a suspicious caller.'

• Anyone with information about the incidents or the burglars shpuld telephone Lowestoft CID on 01986 835300.