Police are appealing for witnesses after callous conmen struck twice in the space of an hour.

The incidents, which police believe may be linked, happened in Colchester on Saturday, when a man called at the homes of pensioners claiming to be a gas official.

The first incident happened just after 2pm when a man called at the home of a couple in Acland Avenue, Lexden.

He said there was a gas leak and he needed to check the gas, electricity and water in their house.

The man told the husband and wife, in their 70s, to wait in the kitchen in case there was an explosion.

While the first man distracted the couple, it is believed another man entered the house through a window.

Afterwards the couple discovered £2,500 in cash had been stolen, together with a Lorus watch and two gold watch-straps.

The man who called at the house is described as white, in his 30s, with short dark brown hair like a crew cut growing out, tanned and clean shaven. He was wearing dark trousers and a dark zipped-up jumper with a collar and spoke politely with an Irish accent.

The second incident happened at about 2.30pm, when a man called at a house in Laburnum Grove, Greenstead, claiming to be a gas official.

However, when the woman in her 80s asked for identification, he said he had left it at one of her neighbours' homes.

She shut the door and called the gas company to see if there were any problems in the area. On finding there were no problems, her relatives called the police.

She described the man as in his 30s, speaking with an Irish accent.

Anyone with information is asked to call Colchester police on 01206 762212.

Published Monday, January 6, 2003

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