DOORSTEP tricksters have conned a Devizes pensioner out of her £700 savings after posing as council workmen.

Police have condemned the thieves who struck at the 70-year-old woman's flat in Colston Road on Monday afternoon.

The victim has severe arthritis and is effectively housebound. She lives alone and has no relatives in the area.

The conmen called at her flat at about 3pm. They told her they were from the council and needed to gain access to her home in order to repair a water leak in an upstairs flat.

While one man kept her talking, the other searched her flat and after they had left the pensioner found that more than £700 had been stolen along with her post office savings book.

DC Ian Parry, who is investigating the crime, said: "The lady is angry and upset by what has happened. It has shaken her but she is a resilient character."

He added: "The people who commit this sort of crime are parasites that prey on the more weak and vulnerable members of the community.

"Everyone should take responsibility and should be genuine neighbours by making an effort to ensure the less able are given support and protection against such crimes.

"I would ask everyone to keep an eye on their neighbours and when they see suspicious characters or behaviour please record any details about the people or vehicles and report it to your local police station."

DC Parry revealed that the men involved may have tried to gain access to another house in Colston Road the same afternoon.

He said two men fitting the same description called at a house and asked the occupant if they wanted their trees trimming but the householder declined.

DC Parry thinks the men may have parked a car in a nearby street and walked down an alleyway to get to Colston Road and he is appealing for people who saw them or their vehicle to contact him.

The men are described as white, about 5ft 10ins and wearing dark clothing. One was aged about 30, had short, dark, wavy hair and was of slim build.

His accomplice was aged between 30 and 40 and had a fat stomach.

Anyone with information should call DC Parry at Marlborough police station on (01672) 512311 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

DC Parry carried out house-to-house inquiries following the burglary.

Out of the 48 homes he called at, just one householder used their door chain and he is urging people to do so when answering their doors.

He said: "People should use their chains. Some people who had chains didn't use them when I knocked at the door."

A spokeswoman for Kennet District Council said council officers who visit people's homes always carry identification badges.

She said: "We are very strict on ensuring our staff have proof of identity badges and householders should ask them for their ID before letting them into their home."

Police are investigating whether Monday's incident is linked to similar thefts carried out in Urchfont and Easterton in the last two weeks.

Officers in Wiltshire are working with other police forces in the South West to crack down on distraction burglaries.

Police advise householders before they answer their doors to stop and think if they are expecting callers.

They should always ask for identification and, if in doubt, they should call the police.