POLICE are investigating two distraction burglaries in the Dean that could be linked and have warned residents to remain vigilant.

One incident took place at around 1pm last Tuesday, May 15 in Lydbrook when two men knocked the door of an elderly woman’s home and discussed work which they said needed to be done to the pipes on her property.While one man kept the victim talking, the other entered the premises and stole jewellery and hundreds of pounds worth of cash from within.In a separate and similar incident later that afternoon, a Coleford woman in her 90s had cash stolen from a purse in her bedroom while a man was talking to her about pipes and guttering work.One of the offenders is believed to be aged in his 50s and is believed to have left in a dark coloured hatchback type vehicle.

“This type of crime is sporadic, with an area or areas being hit in a short space of time,” Chief Inspector Richard Pegler said.

“At present the Forest of Dean and Gloucester have seen incidents reported but as a county we must be aware of this type of crime.

“We haven’t had reports of this type of significance in recent months so please don’t be alarmed as they are not common, but please just be aware of the warning signs.

“Please look out for elderly neighbours and family members. Do not let people you don’t know into your home or agree to services from people you don’t know.

“If you are concerned then seek help from family or friends and call us.”

Please report any suspicious activity to police by calling 999 if offenders are still in the area or 101 for a non-emergency issue.Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident 224 of May 15 (Lydbrook) and 308 of May 15 (Coleford).