AN ELDERLY woman in Chipping Sodbury was one of the victims of two crimes last week when the suspects pretended to be police officers.

The first incident took place at a house in Chipping Sodbury on Wednesday, November when two men knocked at the house of an 77 year old woman and claimed to be officers investigating a burglary next door.

They were both wearing balaclavas at the time.

One of the men went inside the house with the victim and asked her to collect her purse.

The victim placed the purse down whilst the second male left claiming to be going to speak to neighbours.

After the men left the victim realised the purse, containing several hundred pounds, had been stolen.

The suspect who entered the house is described as a white male, approximately 5ft 7ins tall, of stocky build and in his 30s. He was wearing a black bobble hat, black vest over a black top and black bottoms.

The second suspect is described as a white male, approximately 6ft tall, dressed all in black with his face covered.

The second incident took place on Thursday night, November 20, at a house in the Staple Hill area of Bristol.

A man wearing a balaclava broke the lock on a door and entered the house and asked the 86-year-old homeowner if she had any money in house.

When she questioned him he claimed to be a police officer.

The suspect then told the victim to go upstairs, which she did.

When she came back downstairs, she discovered a quantity of cash had been stolen.

The suspect is described as white, approximately 5ft 3ins tall, of slight build and wearing a balaclava.

Officers are linking the two offences.

Detective Inspector Dominic Graham of Bristol CID said no police officer would ever wear a balaclava when calling on someone.

“These were two serious incidents whereby elderly victims have been preyed upon by burglars," he said.

“Each time, the suspects have claimed to be police officers and used this to gain cooperation from the victims.

“I would like to make it perfectly clear that no police officer would ever wear a balaclava whilst undertaking their duties. Also, a bona-fide police officer would also present identification before entering a house.

“I would ask local people to be vigilant in light of these incidents and keep an eye on those most vulnerable in our neighbourhoods.

“A robust police investigation is now underway and we are following several lines of enquiries.”

Anyone with information on either of these two incidents is asked to contact 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.