Police in Bradford have warned residents of bogus officials operating in the area following two burglaries this week.

Officers said men targeted two elderly victims in Holme Wood and East Bowling after 9pm on Monday purporting to be from the water board and wanting to check the water pressure.

A West Yorkshire Police spokes-man said on both occasions they were let in and on at least one of the occasions property was stolen.

Earlier this month, Bradford South Detective Inspector Alan Flynn urged residents to be vigilant after a similar incident at the home of an 82-year-old woman in Holme Wood.

Det Insp Flynn said: “Don’t open the door to anyone you are not expecting to call. If you are expecting a visit, only open the door when you have put the chain on.

“Make sure you check their identification and if you have any doubts at all ask them to wait while you call the company they claim to work for to verify that they are indeed an employee.”

Yorkshire Water has urged residents to order a door hanger featuring the ‘stop, chain, check’ rule. It tells customers how to set up a password that will be used every time a Yorkshire Water representative needs access to their property. For a door hanger, visit yorkshirewater.com/boguscaller. To set up a password, call 0800 1 387878.