DETECTIVES have urged Sid Valley residents to be on the lookout for a suspicious vehicle after opportunist burglars targeted the homes of vulnerable residents.

Culprits posed as workmen and attempted to distract elderly householders in Lower Brook Meadow, Sidmouth, and School Lane, Newton Poppleford, so they could steal valuables.

Police said three suspects were seen driving around the area in a y-registration Mitsubishi Galant on the morning of May 10.

In Lower Brook Meadow, offenders fraudulently claimed they were there to check on council work at the property.

In School Lane, they said they were interested in doing some gardening work.

“These distraction burglars are opportunists who play it by ear and prey on the elderly and vulnerable,” said Detective Constable Steve Harrington of Honiton CID.

“One engages the householder in conversation while the other searches the house for money and jewellery.”

Nothing was stolen in either incident but burglars stuck later in the Axminster area.

DC Harrington urged residents to be vigilant, to always ask callers for identification, and not to let them into the property if they have any doubts.

He said the public should call the police if they spot a suspicious vehicle and added: “We’d prefer we were called and carried out a stop check rather than finding out something criminal has happened.”

One of the suspects was described as being around 40-years-of-age, of large build with a rounded face. He wore a baseball cap and dark blue jacket and spoke with an Irish accent.

Contact police with information on 101, crime reference numbers: KS/12/245 (Lower Brook Meadow) or KS/12/252 (School Lane).