POLICE are hunting for a gang of burglars who are targeting elderly people in west Wiltshire.

Officers believe that two incidents in Melksham and Trowbridge could be linked to many others in the county and surrounding areas.

In the first incident two men called at a house of a couple in their 80s in Melksham at 11.20am on January 19.

They told the elderly pair they were from the council and asked to inspect their water pipes. It was later discovered they had stolen a quantity of alcohol.

About an hour later a 78-year-old former soldier living in Trowbridge was also targeted, although nothing is believed to have been stolen.

In this case two men showed a false ID card to gain entry to the house, saying they were from the council and had been sent to do some work.

DC Alan Hardman from Melksham CID said: "What I hate most in this job is investigating crimes against the elderly. The people that carry out these crimes are despicable.

"They are picking on elderly people because they are vulnerable and are seen as easy targets."

Three men being sought in connection with the incidents left the scene in a scruffy blue car, which was later found in the Avon and Somerset area.

The first man is white, 6ft tall, of extremely large build with a full beard and short dark hair with grey flecks. He was wearing a dark donkey jacket or camel hair coat.

His accomplice is white, 5ft 11in, tubby or of large build, but not as big as the first suspect. He was clean-shaven with a fresh complexion and was wearing a light-coloured flat cap with a long dark, nylon or cotton raincoat. The third man is white, with shoulder length hair.

Police are warning people, especially the elderly, to be on their guard, to always ask for identification and, if in doubt, not to let anyone into their homes.

DC Hardman said: "These people might flash a card at you and it could be a bank card or a driving licence. They take it back so quickly people don't really get to see it."

Anyone with information on these crimes can call DC Hardman on (01225) 703444 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.