Con men posing as police officers stole handbags from two elderly women last week.

Shortly after 12.30pm last Wednesday a woman in her 90s from Valley Drive, Maidstone, opened her door to a man claiming to be a police officer investigating a burglary at a neighboring property.

He claimed the suspect could have accessed the house through her back garden so she showed him the layout.

When he left she realised her handbag had gone missing.

A similar incident in Shipbourne Road, Tonbridge, on Sunday saw a man call at the home of a woman in her 80s at around 9am.

He told her a burglary had taken place next door and asked to check if her house had also been targeted.

She agreed for the man to come back in the afternoon as she was about to go out but later discovered that her handbag containing cash and loyalty cards had gone missing.

Investigating officer Det Con Andy Julier said: "We are not ruling out the possibility that these two incidents are connected and would like to remind everyone of the dangers of welcoming strangers into their home.

"Most people who call at your house will be genuine but remember that representatives of the emergency services or utility companies rarely visit without appointments, and even if they have they will be more than happy to show you their identification or for you to call their employers to double-check they are who they say they are.

"Bogus callers are also known to work in pairs, with one distracting the victim while the other steals their belongings. It is therefore advisable to ensure your back windows and doors are locked before answering at the front.

"If you are in any doubt as to a person’s credentials, close the door and contact police immediately."

Anyone with information about either incident is urged to call the appeal line on 01622 604100.