POLICE were last night investigating three reports of bogus callers visiting the homes of elderly people in Suffolk.The first two incidents happened within 45 minutes of each other in the Sudbury area yesterday – leading officers to link the crimes – while the third took place in Ipswich.

POLICE were last night investigating three reports of bogus callers visiting the homes of elderly people in Suffolk.

The first two incidents happened within 45 minutes of each other in the Sudbury area yesterday – leading officers to link the crimes – while the third took place in Ipswich.

In the first, which took place at 1pm in York Road, Sudbury, a man claiming to be a gas official called at the home of an elderly couple.

He was allowed into the property and engaged the couple in conversation before leaving.

The pair then found that a search of the house had been made – although it is not known whether anything was taken.

The man is described as white, around 30-years-old, 5ft 8ins tall and of an unshaven appearance. He had short dark hair, and wore a dark blue 'donkey' style jacket.

Just 45 minutes later, in Butt Road, Great Cornard, an 88-year-old woman opened her door to two men who claimed to be gas officials.

One of the men chatted to her before both left on foot in the direction of Poplar Road. It was discovered that a quantity of cash had been stolen.

Both men are described as white, 25-30-years-old, 5ft 8ins-5ft 10ins tall, unshaven with dark hair, and one wore a 'workman's' style jacket.

The final incident happened in Lister Road, Ipswich, at 3.30pm, when two men called at the home of an 81-year-old woman, suggesting they could do garden work for her.

When they left, the lady discovered that money had been stolen from the house.

The first man is described as white, around 45-50-years-old and of large build, while the other man was white, around 18-19-years-old, tall and thin.

Both wore dark jackets and are believed to have left the area in a white van.

Police want to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the offences and who noticed anything suspicious.

Calls about the first two offences should be made to DC John Gibbens at Sudbury Police on 01284 774300.

Anyone with information about the Ipswich incident should call CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.