BOGUS callers who preyed on pensioners and stole hundreds of pounds are being hunted by detectives.

Police are now urging residents to be vigilant after the conmen targeted two elderly women in Rainham and made off with more than £600 of their savings.

In the first incident the conmen told a frail pensioner that water had leaked into her flat from the premises above and they had been called out to investigate. The woman later discovered £55 had been taken from her purse.

An hour later, the tricksters targeted their second victim. They went to a flat in London Road and told a pensioner they had been fitting a washing machine in the upstairs flat when the machine had sprung a leak.

It wasn’t until the conmen left that the woman discovered her purse had vanished and about £600 in cash was missing.

The two men have been described as white, about 20 years old with strong accents. They were both wearing dark blue tracksuits. One

was about 5ft 10ins with short, mousy hair and the second one was about 5ft 8ins with short, light brown hair.

Anyone who can help should telephone police on 01634 884136.