LOWESTOFT: Con artists claiming to be repairmen tricked their way into two addresses but were refused entry to the home of a third victim.

Police are appealing for information following the distraction burglaries in the Lowestoft and Wrentham area on Saturday evening.

At around 7.15pm, a man in his 80s answered his door in Bonsey Gardens, Wrentham, to a man described as white, around 5ft 6in to 5ft 8in tall, of average build, in his 30s and with short hair.

He claimed to be working on the water supply nearby, pushed his way into the property and turned on taps in the kitchen.

Shortly afterwards, the victim saw two other men leaving his home, before the first man also left, and later realised that cash had been stolen from his wallet.

Between 7pm and 8pm, at Lorne Park Road, a woman in her 80s answered the door to a man described as white, around 5ft 11in, of medium build, in his mid 20s to 30s, wearing a black three-quarter length coat, a black woolly hat and a scarf partially over his face, who walked into her home saying he was putting a new water system in next door and that he needed to check her water.

The man went into her kitchen as second man - also white, of similar age, height and build and wearing a dark coat and woolly hat - entered. The first man explained he was a colleague and continued to talk to her about the water before both men left.

A short time later the woman discovered cash had been taken from her purse.

The third incident happened at a home in London Road Pakefield around 7.45pm, when a woman in her 70s heard a knock at the door but, rather than answer, spoke with a man through a window.

The man claimed that a neighbour’s washing machine was leaking and that the valves under her sink needed adjusting.

The man then stated that if she didn’t let him in her kitchen would flood but the woman threatened to call police and he left.

Anyone who was in any of the areas between around 7pm and 8.30pm should call Lowestoft CID on 01986 835300.

Officers are also urging residents to never allow strangers into their homes without checking their identity and always alert police to a suspicious caller by dialling 999.