POLICE are becoming increasingly worried at the number of bogus officials preying on defenceless pensioners.

And they believe there could be gangs working in the town - with one in particular striking three times in four days.

On Saturday January 27 at 12.40pm a man and a woman stole over £3,000 worth of jewellery and £800 cash from an elderly woman in Charterhouse Place.

Just over half an hour later a blind man had £111 stolen when he let two men and two women into his house in Gordonstown Place.

And on Tuesday January 30 a man and woman persuaded an elderly woman to let them into her Shakespeare Way home and stole a silver St Christopher and £13 cash.

On each occasion they told the occupants that they were council workers and had come to inspect a garden fence.

Sergeant Mick Melia said: "This does appear to be the work of the same people or gang operating in the area. One of them distracts the occupant while the others search the home for valuables."

He added: "We do have reports of people committing these despicable offences from time to time but lately there has been a marked increase which is a concern."

In the last couple of weeks there have been more than 10 reports of bogus water officials or council workers who have tricked their way into the homes of the elderly.

Sgt Melia said: "We urge residents to keep an eye on elderly neighbours and warn pensioners to check the identification of people calling at their home before letting them in. If they have any doubts whatsoever they should phone us on 51212."

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