TWO pensioners were targeted by potential burglars who tricked their way into homes.

The attempted raids happened within hours of each other in Chickerell and Dorchester.

Both elderly householders let in the intruders when they posed as electricity and gas board officials but the men left empty handed.

Now police and Age Concern have warned people to be careful who they let in their homes.

Di Lawrence, chief officer at Age Concern in Dorchester, said that people should always check ID of callers before letting them into their homes.

She said: “Any genuine caller is not going to mind waiting on a doorstep for five minutes while someone makes a call to the gas or electricity board to check.

“People should shut the door and keep it on the chain. If someone is pushy with you, it’s a good indication they aren’t genuine.”

She added: “We want people to be trusting but delay that trust for five minutes or half an hour to make sure. No reasonable person is going to mind being asked for ID.”

The bogus officials called at the homes on Thursday afternoon.

The first target was an elderly woman in East Street, Chickerell.

Dorset Police said that a man pretending to be from the electricity board managed to get into the house under having said that he needed to take a reading from the woman’s electricity meter.

The man went into the house and looked around before trying to read the meter.

Acting Detective Sergeant Simon Austin of Dorset Police said that the woman became suspicious of the man and he left the house soon afterwards.

He said: “We confirmed with Southern Electric that no-one was in the area doing any work and luckily nothing has been reported stolen at present.”

The second incident happened at 6pm in Maud Road, Dorchester, when two men pretending to be from the gas board gained entry to a home by telling the elderly woman owner that there was a gas leak.

The men said that they had to check the woman’s fire for possible leaks. They arrived in a white van.

Again the men walked around the house before checking the fire.

Acting DS Austin said that when the woman became concerned about their behaviour the men left the property hastily.

Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses to call 01305 222222.