Callous men dupe elderly

The distraction burglary happened at about midday in Shawhurst Lane, Hollywood.

The brother and sister were expecting decorators and assumed two men at the door were them.

After being let in, one man stayed with the woman and the other went upstairs with the man.

After the elderly man asked for a business card the men left and drove off in a white Escort van.

A handbag with about £120 and the woman's fold-up blind wand was missing.

The man who went upstairs was described as white, aged 20 to 30, about 5ft 8ins tall and slim.

He was clean-shaven with a thin face and spoke with a Midlands accent. He wore a zip-up blue jacket and dark trousers.

The second was described as white, aged 20 to 30, about 5ft 6ins tall, of medium to stocky build with a round face.

He wore a blue baseball cap and dark clothing.

Anyone with information can call Redditch police on 584888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

And an elderly Matchborough couple were targeted by two men posing as council workers.

The pair said they needed to turn the water off at the Frankton Close home last Thursday.

Police said the resident, visited between 1pm and 1.15pm, was suspicious and only allowed one in.

When the man was inside he was asked for ID and quizzed about his job.

As the first offender went to get details from his car the victim noticed the second came into the house and was talking to his blind wife.

He later found £40 was missing from her purse.

The first offender was described as white, mid-30s, about 5ft 10ins tall and of medium build.

He had mousy brown hair, was clean-shaven with a pale complexion.

He wore a grey T-shirt with an emblem on the front and dark trousers.

The second offender was described as white, mid-20s, about 5ft 6ins tall, of slim build.

He had short hair, a fresh complexion and was wearing a green shirt.

Redditch police are working with Warwickshire counterparts after a similar incident in Studley.