A MAN and woman con duo who target elderly residents may have struck again.

The pair, who first struck two weeks ago, claim they work for the water board while the man regularly wears a high visibility work jacket.

In the latest incidents over the weekend, two Radcliffe residents were approached.

At 1.30pm on Saturday (March 8), a man knocked at the rear window of a house in Bury Road and told an 86-year-old woman he was from the water board. He was then joined by his female accomplice and together they searched the house before leaving with a small amount of property.

Half an hour later, the offenders targeted an 88-year-old man in Bolton Road. Again, the male knocked at the back window of the property to attract the attention of the householder.

However, on this occasion, the resident became suspicious and refused the couple entry.

The duo first struck on February 27 when they tried to steal from a Whitefield pensioner who lives in Westminster Avenue. The couple tricked their way into the 81-year-old's house after claiming to work for United Utilities. They fled empty-handed when the woman became suspicious.

The following day they used the same ruse to try and con their way into a house in Parkhills Road, Bury. Again, the elderly residents became suspicious and would not let them in.

The man is white, in his 20s, with long, dark hair scraped back. His accomplice is also white, 5ft 5 ins tall, with long black hair.

PC John Flowers said: "There are subtle differences in the description of the male offender but there is a very strong link between all the incidents.

"It is imperative that we hear from anyone who has any information about the offenders before the strike again."

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Whitefield CID on 856 8248 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.