POLICE are investigating a number of distraction burglaries in Colchester after men posed as council workers to enter people’s houses.

Officers are investigating four incidents over two days where burglars claimed that gas boxes at the addresses needed replacing, or the homeowner would lose power for a number of days.

In each case a suspect waited outside the home while the other inspected inside.

Police are investigating the following incidents:

  • Wednesday, July 12 – 12.30pm – suspects visited a man aged in his 70s off Abbot’s Road. The man refused to hand cash over but suspects stole a cash tin while he was distracted.
  • Thursday, July 23 - 12.25pm – a woman aged in her 60s handed over a hundreds of pounds in cash after suspects knocked on her door off Lexden Road. Less than an hour later the suspects visited a woman, aged in her 80s, in Harwich Road and a woman aged, in her 60s, off Magnolia Drive.

One suspect has been described as being white, aged in his 30s, around 6ft tall, of an average build with short black hair and had a moustache. He wore a white t-shirt and black trousers.

The other suspect is described as being white, aged in his 30s, around 5ft 5ins tall, of a slim build with short dark hair and a well-groomed black beard and moustache. He wore a white top and black trousers.

Anyone with formation is asked to contact Pc Iain Greig of Colchester CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For more advice and information about distraction burglary visit www.essex.police.uk/advice/bogus-callers/.