AN Air Force veteran today warned pensioners to lock up their homes after becoming the victim of crime for the first time in nearly 50 years.

The 81-year-old, who is now too scared to be identified, was targeted after 49 crime-free years at his home in Darwen.

Police are warning residents to be on the lookout after a similar crime occurred just half-an-hour after the pensioner's home was targeted.

The man, who spent nearly six years in the RAF as an aircraft fitter and lives with his wife, said: "I just never expected this sort of thing could actually happen.

"A man came to the door pretending to be from the Water Board. He looked so genuine so I didn't even bother asking him for identification."

The bogus caller made his way into the home at 6.30pm on Wednesday and asked the pensioner to run his tap for five minutes because dye was reportedly leaking into the water system.

He said: "The man said that he was going to every house on the road and that I would need to run the tap and keep my eye on it. He stayed chatting to me in the kitchen, where my wife had just finished washing the dishes.

"He had the nerve to talk about bogus callers and that residents can't be too careful these days. He was very smartly dressed and he was an altogether pleasant man. We had no reason to suspect he might be bad."

Five minutes after the bogus official had left, the couple discovered that two cabinet drawers had been rummaged through in the living room. An associate had also gone upstairs to search out valuable items.

The victim said: "I was absolutely shattered because we've never had any problems in this house."

The bogus caller was described as white, 5ft 8in, slim, in his mid-20s with short, dark hair. He was wearing a pale brown pullover.

At a house in Carr Road, half-an-hour later, offenders, posing as Water Board officials, made off with £540 in cash and a gold watch.

This time, the 81-year-old victim was confronted by three bogus callers.

One was described as 5ft 8in, well built with short black hair with an olive complexion.

Another had dark brown hair, was of medium build and was wearing a white shirt and jeans.

The third was wearing a navy, zip-front anorak, a dark baseball cap and was of slim build.

John Entwistle of Darwen CID said: "We haven't had a crime like this for two months and we would urge elderly people to lock their doors and always ask people for identification.

"We know that the criminals must have a car they get around in, so if anyone has any information about this or if people have seen anything suspicious we would urge them to contact us on 01254 353842."