DISTRACTION burglars struck in a spate of incidents from Martley to Blakedown in the same day.

Kidderminster police are warning people to be on their guard after conmen struck across the area on Monday.

The first incident took place in Forge Lane, Blakedown, at about 9.30am, when a man climbed a garden fence and told an elderly woman he was investigating faulty water pipes.

After instructing her to hold the kitchen taps, he let a second man in before going upstairs and stealing her handbag and purse.

The men, described as white and in their mid-20s, one in pale trousers and a fawn top, left when confronted.

At 11.09am, two young men were spotted at Blakedown Golf Club but fled when approached by the owner.

Between 10.30am and 10.44am, two white men told an elderly person walking in Honeybrook Close, Kidderminster, they were delivering bin bags and asked for her address.

On returning home, she found someone had got in through the back door.

The car they were travelling in was possibly an Audi.

Between noon and 12.05pm, two men in their early 20s told another elderly woman in Spring Gardens, Tenbury Wells, that they were investigating water problems.

Afterwards, she found cash had been taken from her handbag.

At two other Tenbury houses, two men claimed to be working on trees but were confronted.

One was white, 5ft 6in tall, of medium build, and clean-shaven with tidy, dark collar-length hair while the other, who had an Irish accent, was 5ft, stocky and wore light grey tracksuit trousers with a rip on the knee and a light-coloured T-shirt.

At 12.50pm, three men were spotted calling on elderly people in St Peter's Drive, Martley.

At one of the homes, they were confronted and left in a white Audi.

The driver was described as white male, 5ft, smartly dressed, with an Irish accent, the second was shorter, wearing a khaki jacket and beige trousers and a third wore an off white top.

Anyone with information should call 01562 820888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.