POLICE sent out an urgent alert to Wear Valley pensioners after a series of raids by bogus callers.

Since the turn of the year there have been a string of more than two dozen distraction burglaries across County Durham and Darlington, where thieves posing as officials, gained entry into the homes of trusting householders. In more than half the cases the thieves said they were from the 'water board.'

Two men posing as water company employees entered three homes in the Wear Valley area last Friday, taking cash and other belongings from the elderly occupants.

An 85-year-old man on the Hall Lane Estate, Willington, allowed a man into his home but he fled empty-handed when he was disturbed. In a second incident. an elderly woman at The Crofts, Wol-singham, was kept talking by one of the men while the other stole cash and benefit books. Again both men said they were from the 'water board'.

An 87-year-old woman, from Stanhope, also let the men into her home after they told her they were from the 'water board.' They left with a signet ring, a silver watch, compact discs, a driving licence and two mobile phones.

Det Sgt Kieran Reed, of Crook CID, said he was linking the incidents because they happened in a short space of time on the same day.

He said: "We would emphasise that no-one should be allowed entry to your house without an appointment. That is the only way that this type of despicable offence will be avoided.''

One of the men is described as 30 to 40 years, about 5ft 9ins tall, slim build, dark collar length hair, dark clothing and scruffy appearance. The second man is aged about 30, 5ft 11ins tall, slim build, dark short hair, wearing dark trousers and dark jacket.

Similar incidents in other areas of County Durham include two attacks in Wingate where an elderly widow's life savings were stolen and an 80-year-old woman had cash and a bank book taken.

Witnesses should call Det Sgt Kieran Reed on (01388) 762011.