Pensioners are being targeted by at least two gangs of ‘travelling criminals’ who have carried out a spate of distraction burglaries in Shropshire in the past few days, police warned today.

Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards said several incidents had taken place in the county over the last week, with the majority happening in the Shrewsbury area.

Mr Edwards, from West Mercia Police, said people with elderly relatives and neighbours should be in contact with them and remain vigilant.

He said there appeared to be at least two groups of ‘travelling criminals’ who were targeting vulnerable elderly people – often by pretending to be from the water board.

“There has been a number of distraction burglaries, more than we normally expect. We have had quite a few incidents in Shrewsbury and a couple in north and south Shropshire,” he said.

“There has not been more than half a dozen, but there have been quite a few burglaries in a short period.

“The most common MO is using the water board but the water board hasn’t existed for more than 30 years

“They are often targeting very elderly people and people with hearing and sight difficulties. This adds to the difficulties of investigating and to the distress of the victims.”

Two of the most recent incidents took place in Moston Green and Pool Rise in Shrewsbury on Wednesday.

In both cases, an unknown man knocked on the door of an elderly resident, claimed he was from the ‘water board’ and said he needed the check the water in the property, police said.

In the Pool Rise incident, the 89-year-old woman refused to let the man into her home but in Moston Green, an 80-year-old woman had £300 taken after letting the man into her home.

Police are urging people to be vigilant and to contact them if they have any information about the incidents which have happened in recent days.

Anyone who can help with the investigation is asked to contact police on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.