Bogus council workers stole purses from two women in Colchester after talking their way into their homes.
Both crimes were reported in Greenstead and prompted a police warning about people who call at people's doors.
In the first incident, a man visited a woman in Jasmine Close and said he was from the council and was there to cut down trees.
She let him in and later discovered her purse had been stolen.
The caller, who had an Irish accent, was described as white, in his 30s, 5ft 4ins tall and was wearing a light khaki jacket.
In a second case, a 79-year-old woman was visited in Forest Road by a man, also with an Irish accent, who said he was there to cut grass and bushes.
Her purse, along with £30, was taken by the bogus workman or an accomplice who could have sneaked in while the victim was distracted.
The caller was white, 20 to 24, and was wearing black trousers and a black jumper with two stripes across it.
Anyone with information about the callers, reported yesterday, can call police on 01206 762212
Published Thursday November 20, 2003
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