By Dave GooderhamELDERLY people in an East Anglian town are being told to remain on their guard after two homes were targeted by conmen.An elderly man had cash stolen from his home in Regents Court, Newmarket, after a man called and asked to check the boiler at about 10.

By Dave Gooderham

ELDERLY people in an East Anglian town are being told to remain on their guard after two homes were targeted by conmen.

An elderly man had cash stolen from his home in Regents Court, Newmarket, after a man called and asked to check the boiler at about 10.30am yesterday.

The bogus caller was described as white, aged in his 20s, of slim build, with mousy hair and wearing a blue shirt.

The home of a middle-aged woman in Manderston Road, Newmarket, was also targeted by a man at about 12.10pm yesterday.

One man, claiming to be from the electricity board, told the woman he had to check her meter, but she stopped him from entering the property.

He was described as white, aged in his 30s, with fair hair and wearing a blue and white checked shirt and beige trousers.

The incidents come after Thelma Avis, 90, died less than four hours after £1,000 was stolen from her home in Barn Hall Avenue, Colchester, earlier this month.

A murder investigation was launched because police believed the trauma of the burglary could have triggered her death.

The East Anglian Daily Times has launched a Safe in Your Home campaign to give elderly residents advice in the event a bogus caller knocks on their door.

Hundreds of laminated advice cards have been issued in an effort to arm pensioners with useful tips when faced with suspicious callers.

Police also urged residents to ensure their homes were secure after rings, including two gold wedding rings and a sapphire and diamond ring, and cash were stolen during a burglary in Windsor Road between 8.30am and 5.15pm on Friday.

In a second incident, thieves stole keys, a wallet and a camera from a work surface after they reached in through a window at a property in Elizabeth Avenue.

Anyone with information about the incidents should contact Suffolk police on 01284 774100.

dave.gooderham@eadt.co.uk