SUFFOLK police are today appealing for information following a series of distraction-style burglaries in the county.In each of the burglaries, which took place yesterday, police say it appears the offenders either broke in or used a distraction technique, and then in several cases were confronted by the occupier.

SUFFOLK police are today appealing for information following a series of distraction-style burglaries in the county.

In each of the burglaries, which took place yesterday, police say it appears the offenders either broke in or used a distraction technique, and then in several cases were confronted by the occupier.

In Church Lane Close, Barton Mills, between 7.10pm and 7.30pm, a man in his 70s discovered an intruder in his home on.

He was having his dinner when the intruder entered the living room and told the man he was from Neighbourhood Watch.

The man told the intruder to leave and he did so through a rear door into the garden.

A wallet was found to be missing.

At around 7pm a woman in her 70s was watching TV in her home on Queen's Road, Brandon, when she discovered a man in the doorway to her lounge.

He held up a card and told her someone had been into her bedroom and to come and look.

She found her bedroom had been searched.

She returned to the lounge to find a second man searching there.

She shouted for a neighbour but the first man covered her mouth and sat her down.

They asked where she kept money but she said she had none so the men left through the back door.

Cash was found to have been stolen.

She managed to alert a neighbour who phoned police.

Between 6.30pm and 9pm a woman in her 70s was watching TV and making phone calls at her home on Tower Close, Brandon. When she went to bed she discovered cash was missing from her purse and that the curtains had been closed in her bedroom.

Entry had been gained to the property through an insecure door.

At around 7.05pm a woman reported two suspicious men in their late teens or early 20s in Trinity Avenue, Mildenhall.

They called at her home and told her they were going to turn off the water, then entered and turned it off in the kitchen.

The woman followed the men around the house until they left, nothing is believed to have been stolen.

Detective Inspector John Brocklebank said: “These offenders have preyed on some of the most vulnerable members of society.

“These despicable crimes have caused extreme distress to the victims and officers will be revisiting all of them today to offer reassurance, to do forensic work where applicable and to investigate these offences.

“The offenders appear to have deliberately targeted these individuals.

“I want to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious persons in the areas where these burglaries took place, yesterday and over the weekend. It is possible these offenders have called at other properties, either yesterday or at some other time.”

Residents are reminded to be vigilant. Doors and windows should be kept secure at all times.

If an unexpected or suspicious caller comes to your door, use a chain and do not let them in.

Ask to see their ID and if you are not happy do not let them in and call police.

Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of a distraction burglary or similar offence should call 999 immediately.

Anyone who may have been in any of these areas around the relevant times or has any information about these crimes should contact Mildenhall CID on 01473 613500.