ELDERLY people are being warned to be vigilant following a wave of bogus officials trying to con their way into homes.

St Albans Police are warning that since the beginning of the month there have been at least six reported incidents of distraction burglaries and in each case they have targeted the homes of elderly people in their late seventies or eighties.

Each time the bogus callers have used water supply problems as an excuse to try to get in, but police are discounting the theory that it is the work of the same team.

So far the crimes have been thwarted before anything could be stolen.

DC Kevin Begley from the St Albans burglary enquiry team said: 'There has been a worrying increase in the number of these distraction burglaries and we would urge everyone, especially the elderly or vulnerable, to be extra vigilant when strangers knock on their doors.

'Always ask for identification and if they are genuine they will expect you to do this.'

He added that although in St Albans the number of house break-ins was going down, the number of distraction burglaries was on the increase.

'These people specifically target the elderly and the vulnerable and it is quite easy for them to spot homes where they live.

'Once confronted, they usually tend to go away, so our aim is to prevent them getting over the doorstep.'

In all but one of the recent spate of cases, the offenders were prevented from actually getting into the properties when they were refused entry.

But one courageous 79-year-old woman was praised for her bravery after she blocked the front door to two men who tried to force their way in last week.

DC Begley said the official message from police is: If In Doubt - Keep Them Out.

He said: 'In these cases the offenders have used water problems as an excuse to get in, but it could be gas, electricity or any number of bogus reasons, usually something that makes people feel vulnerable for themselves or their property.

'So we are appealing for people to be on their guard, and if they are are at all uneasy don't let the caller in, or ask them to come back later so they can get advice from their family, a friend or the police.'

And he stressed: 'If the caller is unexpected, check with their company but don't use the number on their card as it may be an accomplice, find the number in the phone book.'

Anyone who has any information about any of these incidents should contact DC Begley of St Albans Police on 01727 796070.