A PRISONER on the run is believed to be behind a crime spree against the elderly -- prompting a police warning to pensioners across East Lancashire.

David Charles Lynch, 47, was jailed for six years and six months in June 2003 after pleading guilty to conning pensioners in Blackburn, Burnley and Clitheroe.

He had just been moved to Kirkham Open Prison, ahead of a possible release on parole in September 2006, but "broke the trust" the Prison Service had placed in him by absconding on June 29.

Today police said they believed Lynch, who has family in Oswaldtwistle, had tried to con six elderly people in their homes last week.

The fears prompted them to take the unusual step of releasing his details and picture.

Officers hope the move will put elderly people on guard and help get information from the public to track down Lynch.

The cons last week followed a similar pattern to the crimes Lynch was sentenced for in June 2003, and police said he matched the description of the conman.

A bogus workman called at six homes in Blackburn claiming to have been sent from a housing association to drill a hole for a cable so a second workman could install an intercom later.

The trick was successful on one occasion, with the elderly victim paying £40 and only realising he had been conned after the other worker never turned up.

The other five pensioners turned the bogus workman away -- and that is what police are urging anyone else to do who is approached.

Sgt Sean Cunningham said: "We just want to people to be on their guard as he preys on the elderly.

"If he turns up at anybody's door they should contact us immediately as we would like to send out patrols while he is still in the area.

"Anyone else who recognises him from the picture or description should contact us."

Lynch, who is originally from Derby, was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court after pleading guilty to five distraction burglaries, including his three strikes in East Lancashire.

The court was told he had deliberately targeted elderly people by pretending to be a council worker fitting intercoms, or by conning his way into their homes and stealing money.

A Prison Service spokesman said Lynch had been given six years and six months because he had previous convictions for similar offences.

The spokesman also defended the decision to move Lynch to an open prison, saying that it was made after a thorough risk assessment.

He added: "The movement of prisoners to an open prison is to help prepare for a smoother reintegration when they are released on parole.

This works on a basic element of trust and some prisoners don't abide by that."

Lynch is described as 5ft 10ins, of stocky build, with blue eyes and has receding grey hair.

Call Blackburn police on 01254 51212, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, with information.