POLICE in Great Harwood have appealed for residents to help them catch a "coward" who targets elderly people in their homes.

Police said the conman, in his 40s, tried to talk his way into an 81-year-old woman's house and although he did not get in he has been successful at other homes.

Sgt Dave Reddin said the man was spotted by the elderly owner as he looked over the back wall of her terrace house in Water Street. He left after giving an excuse about wanting the damaged tree in her yard for firewood.

He returned after the woman went to collect her pension and was confronted trying to break into the back door.

Sgt Reddin said that this time the woman was lucky.

The first two incidents on Noble Street and Moss Street occurred on Friday February, 14 around 11am. In both cases he had a conversation with the pensioner after being found in the house and stealing around £20.

The third on Mercer Street, happened between 11.30pm on Sunday, February 16 and 10.30am the next day. This time burgled the house, searching the occupant's bedroom while she was asleep and taking cash and jewellery worth more than £650.

The man is described as 5ft 8ins tall, medium build, with short, straight, mousy coloured hair. He was tidy, clean shaven, with a navy blue plain sweatshirt and a local accent.

Sgt Reddin, of Great Harwood police, said: "It is bad enough for old people to be faced with these sort of people, we can't estimate what damage these people do, they are scum of the earth. We have got similar identifications and we are linking the four offences. We think he is a local man who is taking advantage of vulnerable elderly people and tThis coward needs to be stopped."

Contact Great Harwood CID on 01254 353341 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.