ELDERLY homeowners are warned to be vigilant after a spate of distraction thefts.

The first theft in Middlesbrough was at 9.25am on Sunday, when a man conned his way into a 95-year-old's home in Stoneleigh Avenue, Whinney Banks, and took her purse, cash and bank cards. The slim white man was over 6ft, in his early 20s, with short, brown hair and wearing dark clothes.

At 2pm on Monday, two men called at a bungalow in Gleneagles Road in Saltersgill, and took thousands of pounds belonging to a couple in their 80s.

The first man was white, 5ft 4in and stocky. He was about 30 with short, brown hair and clean-shaven, and was wearing a dark boiler suit. The second man was white, about 35 and over 5ft 7in. He was clean-shaven with light brown hair. Both spoke with an Irish accent.

Also on Monday, an 80-year-old woman living in The Greenway in Thorntree let two men in who went upstairs while they asked her to turn taps on downstairs. It is not known what was stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01642) 303126.