MEDWAY Police are warning residents to be vigilant following a spate of incidents involving bogus callers.

The first incident happened in Begonia Avenue, Gillingham, when a man and two children stole from an 83-year-old lady.

The man, between 40 and 50, and the two boys, aged around 12, knocked on the pensioner's door and said they had come by to say hello.

They then walked into the house while chatting to the elderly woman, asking her for a drink and some food. When she went to the kitchen they fled out of the front door with her handbag containing about £30 in cash.

The second incident happened at Shawstead House in Hopewell Drive, Chatham. This time a 84-year-old woman was duped into allowing a woman calling herself Betty into the house.

"Betty" asked to use the victim's phone, saying she had poison in her foot and needed to call a doctor.

When the elderly woman went to the kitchen she heard the bogus caller talking on the phone - and now she was calling herself Rachel.

When the victim returned to the front room the woman - described as between 25 and 30 - had disappeared, having stolen £40 from a handbag.

The thief is described as slim with long, black, curly hair. She was seen getting into a car before driving away. Sgt Paul Anderson said: "These incidents have been very upsetting for the victims. The offenders are targeting the vulnerable and the elderly and I would urge anyone with information to contact Medway Police immediately."

"I can't emphasise enough the importance of asking to see identification when someone calls. No legitimate caller will object if you ask to see their identification. If you don't know who they are then don't let them in."

Anyone with any information should call Sgt Anderson on 01634 884124 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.