POLICE have urged residents in the Turton area to be on their guard against a burglar who preys on elderly people.

Detectives in Darwen have asked people to look out for elderly neighbours as they believe this man is likely to strike again.

The latest incident occurred on Saturday afternoon.

A Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator on Wellington Road, Chapeltown spotted a man acting suspiciously before entering an 81-year-old man's house.

Police said the co-ordinator went over to the house and confronted the man.

When the co-ordinator entered he found the man sitting in the chair in the living room.

The co-ordinator asked the man what he was doing there he replied: "My name's Ian, I'm from Bolton and the occupant knows me."

As the co-ordinator further questioned the man he became very defensive and confrontational before leaving as the co-ordinator tried to ask the occupant if he knew him.

The man was last seen making off along Wellington Road in the direction of Bolton. Det Sgt Neil Hunter of Darwen Police said this incident was linked to an offence in January, also on Wellington Road, Chapeltown.

On that occasion an 85-year-old woman found a man sitting in her living room chair.

When she asked who he was, he also said he was called Ian from Bolton and that she knew him.

As she said she was phoning the police, the thief grabbed her handbag which contained her purse and £200 cash.

DS Hunter said: "The elderly man would have been another victim to this man who appears to prey on frail members of the community but for the actions of the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator and two neighbours who also went over.

"This man needs to be caught before he strikes again."

Police said the man is white, slim and had what is described as a sallow complexion, which means he is pale and gaunt. The man also spoke with a Bolton accent and was unshaven.

He was wearing dark trousers and a brown bomber jacket.

DS Hunter made a number of appeals to the community in the Turton area, along with those in the Astley Bridge area of Bolton.

"I would ask anyone who knows who this man is to come forward," said DS Hunter.

"Also I am appealing to anyone who may have been visited by this man in the time between these two offences to ring us at Darwen CID directly on 01254 353841/2/3."