POLICE have warned people to be on the lookout for bogus workmen. The advice comes after homes in the Gwent area were the target of 'distraction burglaries'.

The victims have tended to be elderly people because thieves perceive them to be soft targets.

One victim, disabled 70-year-old Hartley Gulley, of Brynteg Terrace, Ebbw Vale, had cash stolen by two bogus workmen who pretended they needed to switch his water off on July 21.

They said his neighbour's washing-machine had flooded her home, and after unsuccessfully trying to obtain Mr Gulley's pension book by making out that they needed the serial number as proof they had called, the two men left.

Mr Gulley said: "I was still quite sleepy, but it wasn't until they had left that I realised they were trying to con me."

He added that when he realised that they had taken £10 from his purse he "broke his heart".

Police believe the two men may also have stolen from an 88-year-old woman from Newtown the same day.

As reported in the Argus, thieves took £5,000, two gold women's watches and gold rings after conning their way inside her home.

The thieves, who are believed to be from outside the Gwent area, are thought to be in their twenties.

In an unconnected incident on July 24, a woman in King Street, Blaina, was visited by a man with a clipboard wishing to gain entry to her house.

But the wary householder asked to see some identification - and the man immediately walked away.

Police say she was able to describe him as white, around 5ft 8in tall, of medium build with short mousey hair. He is believed to be aged around 40.

Now officers are appealing for people to be on their guard and ask for identification of doorstep callers.

PC Lynn Jones, of Ebbw Vale, said: "We would urge everyone to ask for identification off anyone that asks to do work inside their house. If anyone is unsure of any ID then they can ring us and we will check it out for them."

*PICTURED: Copies of the Doorstop Code were handed out after incidents at Newport