ELDERLY residents have been targeted in a shocking spate of distraction and aggravated-style burglaries across north Suffolk.Police are appealing for information after thieves struck across the county yesterday, Monday February 4 - stealing thousands of pounds in the process.

ELDERLY residents have been targeted in a shocking spate of distraction and aggravated-style burglaries across north Suffolk.

Police are appealing for information after thieves struck across the county yesterday, Monday February 4 - stealing thousands of pounds in the process.

In each case burglars either broke into the household or entered via an insecurity or distraction technique, and in several of the thefts they were confronted by the occupier.

A 98-year-old woman was at her home in Blythburgh watching television between 5.30pm and 6pm when a man entered the room she was sitting in and started to search it.

The pensioner asked the man to leave and then realised there were three men inside her home. She said a relative would be calling soon but the thieves made threats to her before one of them took hold of her arm and sat her down. The house was then ransacked and a large, unknown amount of cash was stolen before the burglars left.

The 98-year-old managed to alert a neighbour and police were called.

An 85-year-old man was in the kitchen of his home in Walker Gardens, Wrentham, around 6.05pm, when he heard someone walking around inside his house.

He then saw a man in the premises. The thief spoke to him for several minutes before making his excuses and leaving the home. A short time later the 85-year-old discovered hundreds of pounds had been stolen.

Residents of a home in Walker Gardens, Wrentham, discovered someone had entered their house and searched a room while they were watching television between 4.30pm and 6.30pm. At this stage it is believed nothing has been stolen.

A 79-year-old woman was in her house in Nelson Road, Pakefield watching television around 6.30pm when she heard noises inside the home.

She went to investigate and saw a man who spoke to her. She opened the front door and shouted at him to leave, and he did. It's thought nothing was stolen. Three men were seen in the area around the time of this incident.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have been in any of these areas around the relevant times to contact Suffolk Police on 01473 613500.

Officers are also urging residents to be alert, to report any suspicious behaviour and to alert police immediately using 999 if they suspect they may have been targeted.