Police believe two thefts are linked (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Police believe two thefts are linked

POLICE are hunting three bogus callers who tricked their way into the homes of two pensioners.

Both burglaries took place within an hour of each other on Thursday afternoon and police believe they are linked.

The first happened at around 2pm when three men knocked on the door of a house in Dulverton Avenue, Park North, claiming to be from the water board.

The elderly woman allowed them in and the men stole an undisclosed sum of money and stamps.

Less than an hour later a man called at the home of another elderly woman in Wildern Square in Stratton.

As he ran one of the taps, at least one other person entered the house and stole items.

They escaped in a royal blue estate car with a red stripe.

Police say the first man was white, of slim build and around 6ft. He had dark hair and was between 20 and 30. He wore dark clothing.

The second was white, 5ft 8in and in his mid 20s. He had dark hair and wore dark clothing.

The third was only described as white and aged between 20 and 30.

Insp Mark Power of Devizes police station said: "Because of the timing, the locations and the methods, we suspect they are connected."

Swindon police have set up a taskforce against distraction burglaries after a spate of seven in Wroughton and Swindon in early January.

The team is led by Det Sgt Kier Pritchard who said he could not rule out a link between the latest burglaries and those committed last month.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in Park North or Lower Stratton on Thursday has been asked to call 01793 528111.