POLICE are appealing for information after a pensioner was confronted by a gang of men in his lounge.

Dave Gooderham

POLICE are appealing for information after a pensioner was confronted by a gang of men in his lounge.

The elderly man was left shaken by the incident after three men entered his home in Beetons Way, Bury St Edmunds, before stealing cash from a handbag.

Investigating officers this morning revealed they were linking the crime to a burglary in nearby Norton with both incidents taking place within hours of each other on Monday.

Three men broke into the home in Bury between 5pm and 5.30pm through a back door before entering the man's lounge. They searched the room for about five minutes and stole money before leaving the property.

The first man has been described as white, around 15 years old, 5ft 6ins tall, of medium build with light-coloured, messy hair. The second man was white, in his early 20s, 5ft 11ins tall, of slim build and wearing a blue wooly hat.

The third man was white, in his early 20s, 5ft 11ins tall, of slim build with short, light-coloured hair.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said the crime was being linked to one in Hawes Lane, Norton, between 3.45pm and 6.25pm, also on Monday. Burglars entered the property through an insecure window but nothing was stolen.

Anyone with information should contact Pc Annie Taylor at Stowmarket CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.