POLICE are on the trail of a red-shirted conman who could have targeted a number of vulnerable pensioners in a series of callous crimes.

Police yesterday issued an e-fit likeness of a man in his 20s, who detectives in Bishop Auckland believe helped to steal £1,155 from a woman in her 80s living near the town centre.

The conman, who wore a red short-sleeved shirt over the top of his trousers and had short brown hair, talked very quickly when he claimed to be from a drain cleaning company.

While he kept his victim occupied, an accomplice had time to search her home and pick up money kept in various places.

About the same time, on Tuesday afternoon, a man in a red shirt asked to check waterpipes at a pensioner's bungalow. After he left, she found £200 was missing.

Later, in Sedgefield, police believe the man went to the home of a wheelchair-bound woman in her late 60s. Fortunately, he was scared off when her husband appeared, and nothing was taken.

A police spokesman said: "We think he looked through the window and saw that she was vulnerable. It had all the hallmarks of a distraction burglary, but it was foiled by a stroke of luck.

"These people move very quickly, and it could have been the same man at all three homes.

"He has picked on elderly, vulnerable people. We urge elderly people not to let callers into their homes and warn their family members and carers to be on their guard."

Anyone with information should call Detective Constable Sarah Bainbridge on (01388) 603566, Aycliffe police station on (01325) 314401, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111