Warning over bogus callers

Two of the incidents were yesterday and three occurred on Monday. Detectives believe all five may be linked.

Det Con Dave Robertson said: “They appear to be targeting vulnerable people in our communities, who need to be aware of these incidents and to show vigilance, and not let such people into their homes.”

The first was at 12.40pm on Monday at Church Balk, Thorne, when a 76-year-old woman disturbed two men in her home.

One claimed they had seen someone break in through the back of the house and told the woman to go upstairs with them while they searched. Upstairs they stole a large quantity of cash from a bedroom.

The next incident occurred at 2pm on Beechfield Road, near Doncaster town centre, where a man knocked at the door and told an 82-year-old woman they were laying some pipes “in the backs” and to turn her water off.

She refused to let him in but he told her there would be an explosion if she didn’t agree. When she shut the door on him he stopped her by putting his foot in the doorway - but he eventually left without getting in.

An hour later they struck on Great Central Avenue, Balby, where a woman of 78 returned home and a man had followed her into the house. He told her he was from the water board and told her to go and turn the tap on.

She then saw a second man had entered her house and later found that cash had been taken.

The men were white, in their 20s or early 30s, 5ft 7in tall and of a medium build. One had short cropped mousey hair, spoke with a local accent, and was wearing a bomber jacket.

At 11.10am yesterday on Ryedale Walk, Scawsby, an elderly woman reported two menhad told her they needed to test her water.

They claimed they were fitting a washing machine at a neighbour’s address - but she did not believe them and refused to let them in.

Half an hour later, at 11.40am yesterday, where an elderly man on Cromwell Road, Mexborough, reported four men had visited him claiming to be from the water board, and had stolen cash.

Anyone with information should call Doncaster CID on 01302 385 661, or Doncaster Crime Management Unit on 01302 385 394.