Bogus waterboard officials targeting elderly people in Lichfield and Burntwood have stolen almost £4,200 in one afternoon. Three victims have been reported to police.

In one haul alone they got £4,000 after conning the homeowner to let them in. Police are now warning the elderly to be on their guard.

One incident was reported in Burntwood and two in Lichfield, all happening within the space of two hours on Thursday.

Two men called at a house in King Street, Chasetown, at 3.40pm, posing as waterboard officials. They were let in by the elderly woman after insisting water repairs needed to be done. They eventually left when she became agitated. 

The woman later found her handbag and its contents – £4,000 and a bank book – were missing.

The men then struck at two properties in Marks Walk, Lichfield, between 5pm and 5.45pm, claiming to be from the waterboard.

One of the conmen distracted an elderly man for about 20 minutes then left, at which point the victim saw a second man. The pensioner discovered £138 cash had been stolen.

The pair pulled the same trick on an elderly man next door, but fortunately nothing was stolen.