A SPATE of distraction burglaries in Godshill and Fordingbidge has prompted police to issue a warning to residents to remain vigilant.

Two elderly residents have had cash stolen from their homes this month and police are urging people to call the police if a stranger calls with an excuse for being at the house.

A burglar stole money from an elderly woman’s Godshill home on Wednesday, April 10.

The burglar, described as a white man in his late forties, tapped on the 97-year-old woman’s window and asked if she could change a £20 note.

When the woman opened the door, the man asked for a glass of water and when she returned, he was gone and so was some money from her bedroom.

In a second incident thieves targeted a 79-year old man on April 1.

The victim was at home at about 11am when he found a man in the hallway, claiming he had lost his dog.

When they had finished searching the garden for the dog, a young girl was waiting by the house. The man asked the resident if his daughter could have a drink of water. When the resident came back from the kitchen with the water he discovered £100 in cash had been stolen.

DC Naomi Mellish from Hampshire Police said: “We need to remind residents to keep their doors secure, even when they are at home, and to refuse to leave strangers alone on the doorstep.

“Please call police immediately if you find someone in your house or if a stranger calls at your door with some excuse for being there.”

The man in the second incident was described as white, in his forties and of slight build. He had receding brown hair and was wearing a leather jacket.

The girl with him was about 10 years old and had long, fair hair.

Anyone with information on these or similar incidents is asked to contact DC Mellish at Lyndhurst CID on 101.