Appeal after con men strike

SUFFOLK police are today appealing for people to come forward after a spate of distraction burglaries.

On all three occasions, the men pretended to be calling because of problems with the water.

The distraction burglaries happened in Ipswich, Brantham and Assington on Wednesday.

The Ipswich incident took place around 2.50pm.

As a 79-year-old man was coming out of his Felaw Street flat, a man rushed past him and into the flat while shouting something about water.

The man went into the kitchen, turned on the taps and then took the elderly victim to his next-door neighbours.

When the pensioner returned to his flat, two other men ran off from the flat. An undisclosed amount of cash had been stolen.

The men were described as white, in their early 30s and wearing jeans and shirts.

An elderly couple living in Brantham Hill, Brantham were also targeted around 6.25pm.

A man visited the couple, claiming there was a flood in the road and that he needed to turn off their water. A short while later, another man arrived.

The elderly man then asked the men to leave.

They first man was described as white, aged between 28 and 35, between 5ft 2in and 5ft 3in tall, of medium build and with dark brown hair.

An 82-year-old woman living in Vicary Estate, Assington, was also targeted by two men.

They arrived around 1.40pm, claiming they from the water board and needed to check her water main.

They left after checking under her sink, but a short while later the pensioner realised an undisclosed amount of cash had been taken.

The first man was described as white, aged between 20 and 30, 5ft 7in tall and wearing a fawn-coloured jumper. The second man was described as white, aged in his early 20s, 5ft 7in tall, of slim build and wearing a blue blazer.

Anyone who was in these areas at the time and noticed men matching these descriptions should contact detective sergeant Andy Footer at Sudbury police on 01284 774332 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.