POLICE are linking two burglaries within half an hour of each other in which bogus waterboard officials conned their way into the homes of pensioners and stole cash.

Some time between 3.45pm-4pm last Wednesday, a man dressed in navy blue overalls talked his way into the home of a 72-year-old Matchborough woman, telling her the water mains were about to be cut off.

He told the woman, who lives in Quinton Close, to turn off her stopcock and fill pots and pans with water. While she did this a second offender entered the house and stole cash.

An almost identical burglary then took place in Evesham Road, Astwood Bank, between 4-4.20pm, when a 79-year-old woman fell prey to the men.

One of the men is described as white, 5ft 3ins tall and of stocky build. He is in his mid-twenties and has short dark hair, possibly curly.

The other was white, 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build and with short, dark hair.

Both were dressed in navy blue overalls with a motif on the left breast containing the letters W and O.

Pc Jan Shelley, of Redditch police said: "Two elderly and vulnerable residents have been targeted by these heartless thieves and the police are keen to hear from anyone who saw these two men in the area or who has any information that would assist the police in their enquiries."

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