THESE are the faces of three women who have tricked their way into mothers' homes to try and snatch their children.

The women have eluded capture for over two years and police are anxious to stop other victims falling prey.

The con artists have posed as social workers and health visitors in a bizarre bid to gain access to youngsters.

Cleveland Police say they have no idea what motives are behind the bogus calls.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Braithwaite said he believed no follow-up offences had taken place, leaving officers puzzled over the calls.

He said: "In most distraction offences and bogus callers, the offenders pose as officials to gain access to the house to steal.

"But in these incidents, there is no second visit and nothing has been taken, so it is therefore difficult for us to speculate over a motive."

Various ploys have been used by the women to try to get into homes and, worryingly, on three occasions they succeeded.

Excuses by the women include claims they are investigating reports of abuse of the children at the address. They have also told parents they wish to examine the baby in the house.

Sometimes, they simply asked to speak to the lady of the house.

In February, a woman tried snatching a two-month-old child from a mum at their Stockton home.

Shortly afterwards, similar reports were made to police from frantic mothers in the Boosbeck, Grangetown and Hemlington areas of Teesside.

Other cases were reported in neighbouring North Yorkshire.

The latest incident was in May, when a con artist posed as a health visitor in North Ormesby, Middlesbrough.

Det Ch Supt Braithwaite added: "This is a despicable series of offences and it is important that we identify those responsible to prevent others from falling prey to their con."