Police are warning people in Woodbridge to stay vigilant after white lines appeared outside several homes in the area and two cocker spaniels were then stolen.

It is believed the crimes may be linked to a cold calling scam after two men were reported to have been going door-to-door in recent weeks engaging with residents and offering work such as roof repairs, driveway repairs and gardening.

Police suspect they may have been trying to establish houses which were home to certain breeds of dogs as small white line whites were then spray painted on the pavement next to some properties.

Around a dozen residents have reported being targeted by cold calling then seeing a line sprayed outside their home.

The suspects have been operating in the Bury Hill area of Woodbridge and on the St Andrew’s estate in Melton.

Two dogs, both cocker spaniels, were stolen in the Melton area on May 26, and there are fears the suspects could return.

MORE: Two cocker spaniels stolen from kennel overnightOne of the cocker spaniels has black fur and is six years old, while the other has brown fur with a white chest and is one and a half years old.

The two cocker spaniels - one black and the other brown with a white chest - were stolen from a kennel in Alderton, near Woodbridge, between 8pm on Monday May, 25 and 5.30am on Tuesday, May 26.

The first man men involved in the ‘cold calling’ scam is described as being tall with ginger hair, the other is shorter and has a beard. Both have Irish accents.

The vehicle they use has been described as a white van with an orange light on top with the partial index of BT55.

Anyone who has experienced such activity in recent weeks should contact police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Anyone with information related to the theft of the two cocker spaniels in Alderton is urged to contact police, quoting crime reference 37/28685/20.