Kent Police have released two efit images of men they want to question in connection with a spate of distraction burglaries on elderly people in Hythe and Lympne.

It also relates to an incident in Elham where a elderly man's flat was broken into and suspicious incidents in Barham and Dymchurch, all on the evening of Sunday, March 3.

On both occassions in Elham and Hythe the burglars were pretending to be police officers checking the security of the property.

Det Con Roz Friend said: "We believe that all the crimes are linked and carried out by members of the same group.

"We think that they were deliberately targeting the homes of elderly people in the hope that they may have left doors or windows open or are vulnerable and may believe their story that they were police officers.

"We would urge all householders to double check that properties are secure and windows shut and not to allow anyone in their home who calls without invitation."

A 92-year-old man living near Pound Lane, Elham reported to police that he found two men in his flat at around 9pm on Sunday. They were pretending to be police officers but left when they were challenged.

At around 10pm, a 76-year-old woman from near Stone Street, Lympne discovered two men in her bedroom. She pressed the panic button on her telephone but the men escaped with cash and bank cards.

Around half an hour later at 10.30pm, an 85-year-old Hythe woman heard a noise outside her Prospect Road flat and two men came into her living room saying they were police officers checking security after crimes in the area.

Her handbag containing cash and bank cards was taken and later found empty in the town.

Later that evening officers received reports of door handles being tried in Barham and men looking through windows in Dymchurch.

Anyone who recognises the men pictured or has information about the burglaries should contact Det Con Friend at Kent Police on 01303 289213, giving reference ZY/6883/14 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.