HEREFORD and Leominster people are being urged to use door chains and challenge callers after a spate of bogus offiicial burglaries.

Four similar incidents, which are believed to be connected, took place on Tuesday, October 15, when at least three white men claiming they had come to check water, got away with a large quantity of cash.

The first incident took place at Rogers Avenue, Hereford, between 12.30pm and 1.30pm when two men called without identification.

They said they were from the water board and needed to check the meter because there had been an explosion in the area.

The second incident took place at a ground floor flat in St Ethelstan Crescent, Hereford, between 1.30pm to 1.45pm while the elderly occupants were having lunch.

One made a search of the house while the other talked to occupants. Police said "a large amount of cash" was missing after the men left.

The third incident took place when two men took another large quantity of cash from St Guthlac Street, Hereford, at around 3pm.

The last incident happened when three men called at the address of an elderly lady at Waterworks Road, Leominster, at 4.30pm.

A neighbour disturbed the men while they were in the house and they left empty handed.

One of the conmen has been described as 5ft 4in tall, aged 20 to 30 years with short curly hair.

The second man was described as "strong looking", 6ft tall , aged 40 with short mousey brown hair and wearing a brown or green jumper with brown footwear.

The third man was 5ft 9in to 6ft tall, aged 25 to 30 with short dark hair , average build and wearing a blue jumper and black trousers.

Anyone with details of the incidents should contact Hereford police on 01432 276422.