FOLLOWING two burglaries from homes in Aldbourne and Ramsbury, Wiltshire Police has launched an appeal for any witnesses.

One of the burglaries, which took place in Aldbourne on August 4 at 5pm, saw a man come to the house posing as an NHS worker, asking the homeowner to walk through the house so they could check on her mobility, whilst a second man searched the house.

Both of the men were described as smartly dressed white men with Irish accents, and both drove off in a silver estate car.

The second burglary in Ramsbury took place a fortnight later on August 18 at 1pm where a man arrived at the home introducing himself as a worker from the water board. One man asked the homeowners to check the water pressure whilst a second searched the house. It is believed the two men left in a similar silver estate car.

Cash was taken from both of the victim’s houses.

PC Victoria Barker said: “We are appealing for witnesses to these incidents, if you heard or saw anything suspicious in these areas around these times and dates please come forward and contact me.

“I’d also ask families with elderly members to ensure they check the ID of people who come to the house uninvited. Families should be vigilant and not dismiss any comments made by the elderly about people that have come to the house, especially if offering gardening services, needing to test water pressure or saying they’re from the NHS.

“Please don’t hesitate to call police on 101 to report anyone suspicious. Wiltshire Police understand that this can be embarrassing for the elderly, if they have fallen victim to this kind of incident, but by reporting it we can then catch these unscrupulous criminals.”