DETECTIVES are hunting conmen who posed as emergency workman and stole cash from a 90-year-old man.The man is the latest elderly victims to be targeted by bogus callers across Suffolk in recent months and detectives have now re-issued a warning for pensioners to be extra vigilant.

DETECTIVES are hunting conmen who posed as emergency workman and stole cash from a 90-year-old man.

The man is the latest elderly victims to be targeted by bogus callers across Suffolk in recent months and detectives have now re-issued a warning for pensioners to be extra vigilant.

The 90-year-old, who lives in Bury St Edmunds, answered a knock on his door at around 8.40pm on Wednesday.

The caller said that there was an emergency and that the water needed to be turned off. After escorting the man to the kitchen the pensioner requested identification and threatened to call the police when the conman claimed he had left it at another address.

As he was leading the man out of his house the 90-year-old spotted a second man going through his belongings in his lounge. After taking a quantity of cash both men left the address and ran across Newmarket Road, into Green Road.

Det Insp David Rutterford, who is leading the investigation, said: "This is a despicable crime which has left the victim extremely upset.

"The elderly man is to be commended for asking for identification and calling the police so quickly. However, we would always advise members of the public to ask for identification before permitting entry to their property.

"If you are not confident that the caller is who he said he is please close the door and call 999 immediately."

Det Ins Rutterford appealed for anyone who may have seen the culprits running from the address to contact the police immediately.

"We are particularly keen to talk to anyone who spotted the offenders running from the address and down Greene Road.

"It is also likely the offenders will have had a vehicle parked nearby, possibly in Greene Road or Wilcox Avenue, and we would therefore like to hear from anyone who spotted any unknown or suspicious vehicles in the area," he added.

The first offender is described as white, around 5ft 8in tall, well built with brown her. He is aged between 33 and 35-year-old and wore a white shirt and dark trousers. The second man is also white, 28 to 30-years-old, with dark hair. He wore a blue long sleeve jumper with a red horizontal stripe.

Last week 85-year-old former prisoner of war Ted Bacon, fell victim to bogus callers who stole £250 after tricking their way into his flat in sheltered accommodation in Sudbury.

Anyone with any information should call Suffolk police on 01284 774100 or call Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555111.