A POLICE appeal has today been issued after a spree of bogus caller incidents were reported across west Suffolk this morning.

A POLICE appeal has today been issued after a spree of bogus caller incidents were reported across west Suffolk this morning.

The first was reported in Cavendish Way in Sudbury at 9.55am when two men claiming to be from the water board pushed their way into the home of an elderly woman.

One of the males accompanied the woman to the toilet whilst the other went upstairs. They left shortly after but it is unclear at this stage if anything has been stolen.

The first man was white, 26 years old, of stocky build, about 5ft 3in tall with dark hair and was wearing a waist length casual jacket and dark trousers. The second was also white, in his early 20s, of medium build, 5ft 3in tall with short dark wavy hair and wore a dark jacket. A grey four door car was seen to drive away from outside the property shortly after this incident occurred.

Then at 10.10am, two men called at a house in First Avenue, Subdury, also claiming to be from the water board and saying they needed to turn the water off.

They entered the property and turned off the water, the male occupant prevented one of the males from going upstairs. It is not known if anything has been stolen.

The first man is described as white, 5ft 11in tall, in his 20s, of slim build with black spiky hair and was wearing a grey sweater. He spoke with a squeaky voice. The second man was as white, 19 years old, of slim build with a receding hairline and was wearing a grey jumper.

Then, at 10.35am, two men approached an elderly woman’s home on the Causeway Estate in Hitcham, near Stowmarket, asking to check the water pressure. They were turned away.

At 11.35am, two men called asking to check the water pressure at a house in Cullum Road in Bury St Edmunds. When asked for ID they said it was in their van and walked off towards Southgate Street.

The first was white with a beard and a brown jumper. The second was white, of stocky build and was wore a black jumper.

At 11.45am two men called at a woman’s house in St Martins Street, Bury St Edmunds, claiming to be from the council or housing association and asking to check for a leak from a neighbouring property.

When the men entered the kitchen they saw the woman had a visitor and claimed their boss had told them the leak was fixed and then left on foot towards Long Brackland.

A red car was also seen in the area. Nothing was stolen. The first caller was white, 5ft 6in to 5ft 7in tall with short dark hair and was wearing a navy jumper with a stripe on the front.

The second male is described as white, shorter than the first male with short hair and may have been wearing a black jumper.

Crime reduction officer Bernard Plume said: “The majority of people who call on homes are genuine, but we would like people to be aware of this kind of crime and to take some simple steps to avoid becoming a victim. The simple routine of ‘lock, stop, chain, check‘ can prevent an offender gaining access to your home.”

Anyone concerned about suspicious callers in their area, or who may have information on any of the incidents listed above, is asked to report this to Suffolk Police on 01473 613500 or dial 999 if a crime is in progress.