POLICE have issued an alert and appealed for information after burglars struck at a home in Frampton Cotterell and two others in South Gloucestershire yesterday.

At around 3pm, a man claiming to be from the ‘gas board’ – which no longer exists – called on the home of an 87-year-old man in Court Road, Frampton Cotterell, claiming to be carrying out a survey.

The homeowner later found his home had been searched, and the police were contacted at around 8.30pm, but nothing is believed to have been stolen.

The caller was described as white man, of medium build, with dark hair and a strong Northern accent, wearing a dark jacket, a high-vis vest and a yellow lanyard.

Earlier that day, at about 2.45pm in Wadham Grove, Emersons Green, cash and jewellery were taken from a 69-year-old woman while she was distracted by someone who asked to check pipework and kept her talking in the back garden.

The caller was described as a white man in his 40s, clean-shaven, of average height and build with light brown cropped hair. He wore a light-coloured short-sleeved shirt and trousers and a high-vis vest.

Then officers were called to Lulworth Crescent, Downend, at about 4.30pm, to a report of someone who called on the home of a man and woman in their 80s, claiming to be there to check the boiler. The pair later found that cash and jewellery had been taken from the house.

The caller was said to be a man in his early 20's, slim, about 5ft 9ins tall and with a non-local accent. He wore a dark blue top and a yellow lanyard.

Officers have attended each address, offered home security advice and carried out house-to-house enquiries, with Neighbourhood Watch members also having had a circulation about the incidents.

Anyone has any information which could help police enquiries is asked to get in touch through www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact, or by calling 101, quoting reference 5218130122 (Frampton Cotterell), 5218129934 (Wadham Grove), and 5218129926 (Downend).

Alternatively information can be given anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police have also issued crime prevention advice to homeowners:

• Remember, if you’re not sure, don’t open the door

• If you are suspicious of a caller tell us straight away - ring 999 if you feel threatened or intimidated, otherwise call 101

• Keep your cash in the bank, not at home

• Keep windows and doors secured if you’re not in the room

• If you see someone calling door-to-door, but only on frail or elderly neighbours, call 999 straight away

• Join Neighbourhood Watch

• Nominate a neighbour to help you deal with unexpected callers