ELDERLY people in west Suffolk are being targeted by intruders and bogus callers, the police revealed today.Suffolk police has issued a warning to the public after a string of reports in the Forest Heath area.

Laurence Cawley

ELDERLY people in west Suffolk are being targeted by intruders and bogus callers, the police revealed today.

Suffolk police has issued a warning to the public after a string of reports in the Forest Heath area.

Police have described the incidents as “despicable” and were today carrying out forensic tests to try and catch the culprits.

The first incident happened in Church Lane Close, Barton Mills, between 7.10 and 7.30pm last night when a man in his 70s, who was enjoying his dinner, was interrupted by an intruder in his living room. The man claimed to be from Neighbourhood Watch and the victim, who told the man to leave, later found his wallet missing.

At about the same time, in Queen's Road, Brandon, a woman in her 70s was watching television when she discovered a man in her lounge doorway. He held up a card and said somebody had been in her bedroom, inviting her to take a look. The bedroom had been ransacked and when she returned to her living room she found a second man. She shouted for a neighbour but the first man covered her mouth and sat her down. Cash was later found to be stolen.

At Tower Close in Brandon, between 6.30pm and 9pm, another woman in her 70s was watching television and when she went to bed she discovered money missing from her purse and her curtains closed.

A pair of suspicious looking men were spotted in Trinity Avenue, Mildenhall at about 7.05pm. They called at the home of a woman claiming they were there to turn her water off. The woman followed the men around her house until they left.

Det Insp John Brocklebank said: “These offenders have preyed on some of the most vulnerable members of society. These despicable crimes have caused extreme distress to the victims and officers will be revisiting all of them today to offer reassurance, to do forensic work where applicable and to investigate these offences.

“The offenders appear to have deliberately targeted these individuals - I want to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious persons in the areas where these burglaries took place, yesterday and over the weekend. It is possible these offenders have called at other properties, either yesterday or at some other time.”

Residents are reminded to be vigilant. Doors and windows should be kept secure at all times. If an unexpected or suspicious caller comes to your door, use a chain and do not let them in. Ask to see their ID and if you are not happy do not let them in and call police. Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of a distraction burglary or similar offence should call 999 immediately. Anyone who may have been in any of these areas around the relevant times or has any information about these crimes should contact Mildenhall CID on 01473 613500.