Elderly residents have been targeted in a series of "despicable" cons by bogus officials in the Wigan area.

In each case the offender has knocked on the door of an elderly resident and attempted to get inside their home by pretending to be from the Water Board.

In most cases they have told the occupant that a water pipe has been damaged or has burst and that they need to get inside to turn off the water.

Officers believe it is possible that the incidents are linked and they are appealing for help in identifying the offenders.

The first offender is described as a white man aged between 20 and 30 years old and of slim build. He is said to between 5ft 6in tall and 5ft 9in tall and had dark hair. He was wearing a dark jacket and dark trousers.

The second offender is also a white man and is thought to be slightly older than the first man. He is said to be of medium build and was also wearing dark clothing.

Detective Sergeant Ged Hammill said: "These are despicable burglaries where it is clear that they are preying on the elderly and vulnerable. It takes a particularly callous, heartless individual to carry out burglaries of this nature and I am appealing for help in tracing those responsible.

"We are determined to help older people live safe, happy and independent lives in their own homes, and we will deal severely with anyone assuming a bogus identity to defraud innocent members of the public.

"I would like to take this opportunity to remind residents to ask callers for their ID cards before allowing them into their homes. Genuine callers should always be happy to show it to you on request and, if they aren't, I would advise you not to let them in. You should never feel obliged to let someone into your home if you feel uncomfortable doing so."

  • Thursday, March 22 between 11am and 11.10am at a house on Lowton Road, Golborne. Nothing is thought to have been stolen from the 87-year-old woman.
  • Friday, March 23 between 12.30pm and 12.54pm at a house on Knowles Place in Scholes. A quantity of cash was stolen from the 69-year-old man.
  • Friday, March 23 between 2pm and 2.30pm at a house on Reservoir Street in Aspull. Nothing is thought to have been stolen from the 76-year-old man.
  • Friday, March 23 at around 4.30pm at a house on Dryden Avenue in Bryn. Nothing is thought to have been stolen from the 69-year-old woman.
  • Friday, March 23 sometime around 4.30pm at a house on Hereford Road in Hindley. A quantity of cash was stolen from the 77-year-old woman.

Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to contact police on 0161 856 7203 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.