POLICE are urging the elderly to be on their guard after a spate of incidents where bogus officials conned their way into pensioners' homes.

In the past two weeks conmen posing as a police officer and a council official tricked their way into homes across the borough.

In one incident an 83-year-old man let someone into his house in Horn Lane, Acton, after the thief told him he was a police officer.

The offender accompanied the victim home after meeting him in the street outside the police station in Acton and telling him his home had been broken into.

Only later did the man realise a war medal and his late wife's wedding ring had been stolen.

Police spokesman Chris Mullally said: "It obviously has great sentimental value to him.

"A yellow Polish forces war medal was stolen as well as a yellow metal wedding ring belonging to his late wife."

On the same day an elderly woman had more than £250 of foreign currency stolen from her flat after a man knocked on her door claiming to be from the council.

He claimed he needed to turn off the stop cock to the water supply.

Although police are not linking the two incidents, officers say there has been a worrying rise in the number of deception burglaries in the area.

A police spokesman said: "Those concerned use various methods to gain entry and pose as either water board officials, council workers, police officers, or representatives from the gas board.

"They operate either on their own but can be in teams of two or more. On these occasions one will distract the occupant allowing the other to search the address."

Police are urging everyone to check the identification of people calling at their home.

The spokesman added: "You have the right to keep them out of your home until you are satisfied they are who they say they are.

"Remember to keep the door on the chain and if they cannot provide proof of who they are then ask them to leave.

"If they refuse contact the police, dialling 999."