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

Medway 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.

The first incident happened last Monday in Wakeley Road when two men fooled the pensioner into letting them into her home by saying they had come to fix a leak.

They arrived at the flat at around 3.30pm in the afternoon and told the frail woman water had leaked into her flat from the premises above and they had been called out to investigate.

After making a quick search of the bathroom and kitchen, the crooks grabbed cash from the woman's purse and left.

The heartbroken woman 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 the pensioner they had been fitting a washing machine in the upstairs flat when the machine sprung a leak.

One man sat with the woman in the kitchen and explained about the leak, while another man turned her bedroom and lounge upside down looking for money.

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 in both incidents have been described as white, about 20 years old with strong accents.

They were both wearing dark blue tracksuits.

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

Det Con Paula Forman, of Medway Police, has pleaded for witnesses to come forward.

"These incidents have been very upsetting for the victims and I would urge anyone with information to contact Medway Police immediately."

Anyone who can help should telephone on 01634 884136 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting the reference numbers DZ/21281/02 and DZ/21228/02.

To help reduce this type of crime, Medway Police in partnership with Age Concern and Neighbourhood Watch, launched a poster campaign last August. The posters, which formed part of Operation Onyx, gave advice to the elderly which could stop them becoming a victim.

To obtain posters and information about Operation Onyx, phone Medway Police on 01634 827055.