A WARNING has gone out to pensioners living in Hedge End to be on their guard against two distraction burglars described by police as cowardly and unscrupulous.

The warning was issued after two linked distraction burglaries in the town in which the victims were left deeply shocked after discovering the men in their homes.

In one of the incidents the burglars also attacked a neighbour of one of the victims, leaving him with a suspected broken rib when he tried to intervene.

These latest incidents come just a few months after pensioners in Fareham were targeted by a gang of conmen who claimed to be from a water company to gain access to their homes.

Similar gangs were also operating across Winchester in February, preying on elderly residents in Stanmore, Fulflood and Twyford.

A police spokesman said: "It is regrettable and unfortunate that these unscrupulous and undesirable individuals choose to prey on the more vulnerable members of our society in this way.

For the full story see today's Southern Daily Echo.