POLICE are urging householders to be vigilant following a distraction theft and a similar suspicious incident in south Norfolk. Two men called at a home in Churchill Place, Brooke, on Saturday between 3.

POLICE are urging householders to be vigilant following a distraction theft and a similar suspicious incident in south Norfolk.

Two men called at a home in Churchill Place, Brooke, on Saturday between 3.40pm and 4pm and asked the 73-year-old resident if he knew a particular person.

The victim said he did not at which point one of the men asked him for a glass of water.

When the men left the property the victim noticed items including a digital watch, a small amount of cash and a mobile phone were missing.

The men were white, one was in his mid 30s and the other his mid 40s, both were thick set and approximately 6ft tall. The victim believes the men had either Scottish or Irish accents.

On the same afternoon two men called at an elderly woman's home in Ditchingham. They asked for someone called Paul and then asked for a glass of water to take a tablet.

Police said the woman had the foresight to lock her door while she got the water and the pair did not get in.

Det Con Steve Moseley of Operation RADAR at Norfolk police said: “We are investigating these incidents and believe they are linked. I would like to take this opportunity to urge householders, especially the elderly, to remain vigilant.

“This is a despicable type of crime that preys on the elderly and vulnerable and I would appeal to people to look out for vulnerable householders living nearby and to be vigilant about anyone acting suspiciously in their area and contact police with any concerns.”

Anyone with information should contact DC Moseley on 0845 456 4567 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.