A woman has been arrested following a spate of distraction burglaries in Folkestone and Hythe over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Detectives are continuing to investigate three incidents from Sunday, May 25 and Monday, May 26, but are not linking them at this stage.

Police are reminding people to be on their guard, especially if they are living alone.

A 49-year-old Folkestone woman was arrested and later bailed in connection with an incident in Clifton Crescent in Folkestone on Monday.

Police received reports that a woman knocked on the door of a flat at around 2pm and asked for a ball that had gone over into the garden.

The victim said the door closed behind her but did not lock and while she checked the garden for the ball she heard a man's voice but could not see him. When she couldn't find a ball she said she went back into the house, the woman had gone and the victim noticed a camera was missing.

A similar incident happened on Sunday afternoon in St Michael's Street, Folkestone between 4.40pm and 5pm.

A man and woman reportedly rang an elderly resident's doorbell and claimed their dog had chased a ball into his back garden.

They allegedly invited themselves in and the woman checked the garden with the victim while the man waited in the lounge. The victim did not report seeing a dog and didn't find a ball.

"It is not known at this stage if the three incidents are linked but I would urge people to be extra vigilant and take the simple but effective advice that is available on our website."

Once the couple had left the elderly man discovered his wallet and a purse were missing from his jacket.

The woman is described as blonde with a ponytail of a similar age, height and build wearing a denim jacket.The man suspected of carrying out the burglary is described as being in his late 20s to mid 30s, skinny build and about 5ft 8ins tall with short fair hair. He was wearing a top and jeans.

A third incident was reported to police on Bank Holiday Monday in St Leonard's Road, Hythe.

A woman allegedly rang the doorbell and asked to use the telephone to call her mother.

The victim, a partially deaf and blind man, invited the woman inside leaving the front door open when a man appeared who asked to use the toilet before reportedly requesting some sugar for his diabetic wife.

While the owner was on the phone to a neighbour the couple disappeared. It is believed nothing was taken but drawers and cupboards throughout the house were found open or left ajar when they had previously been closed.

Chief Inspector Darren Mullins, district commander for Shepway, said: "Distraction burglars usually target vulnerable people like the elderly or infirm and try to gain entry to their victims’ homes on the pretence of needing help.

"They play on their victims’ goodwill and sense of sympathy which makes this an especially distressing crime for victims.

"It is not known at this stage if the three incidents are linked but I would urge people to be extra vigilant and take the simple but effective advice that is available on our website."

For crime prevention and safety advice, visit Kent Police's advice section here.