Vulnerable residents in west Suffolk have been targeted in a spate of distraction-style burglaries.Detectives condemned the actions of the offenders yesterday after the homes of four pensioners in the Forest Heath area of the county were struck on Monday night.

Vulnerable residents in west Suffolk have been targeted in a spate of distraction-style burglaries.

Detectives condemned the actions of the offenders after the homes of four pensioners in the Forest Heath area of the county were targeted on Monday night last week.

At about 7pm a woman in her 70s was watching TV when she discovered two men searching her home in Queen's Road, Brandon. She shouted for help, but one of the burglars covered her mouth and sat her down and carried on ransacking her home before leaving with a quantity of cash.

Between 6.30pm and 9pm on Monday another woman in her 70s discovered cash missing from her purse and the curtains closed in her bedroom as she went to bed at her home in Tower Close, Brandon.

A man in his 70s discovered an intruder in his home on Church Lane Close, Barton Mills, between 7.10pm and 7.30pm on Monday. The offender said he was from the local Neighbourhood Watch and left with the pensioner's wallet.

At around 7.05pm a woman in Trinity Avenue, Mildenhall, reported two suspicious males in their late teens or early 20s, who entered, claiming to be from the water board. Nothing was stolen.

Det Insp John Brocklebank called on Forest Heath residents to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity.

"These offenders have preyed on some of the most vulnerable members of society. These despicable crimes have caused extreme distress to the victims," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mildenhall CID on 01473 613500.