Burglars using distraction techniques robbed homeowners of keys, credit cards, cash and a Rolex watch.

The two burglaries, which police believe are linked, took place in Hastings on July 14.

At lunchtime a man in his thirties told an 88-year old resident of Amherst Road that his neighbours were having problems with their water supply and the man needed to check the house's plumbing.

Whilst in the kitchen checking the taps a second man appeared. Both men then left.

The homeowner later discovered that he was missing his silver Rolex watch and £300 in cash.

The first man is described as white in his thirties with short black hair, an athletic build and slight stubble on his face. He was wearing a dark coloured zip-up jacket and dark blue jeans with thick soled black lace-up shoes.

The second man was also white, with ginger hair.

Later that evening, at 9.30pm a man asked a 66-year-old woman to let him in to her home in Paynton Road, claiming her neighbour had a leak and that he needed to check the pipework.

She let him man in and while he was in the kitchen he called out to a second person to come in to the address.

It is believed that this second person then entered the victim's bedroom and searched it, stealing a bag containing her keys, bank cards and other personal items.

The victim never saw this other person but after getting suspicious she told the man in her kitchen to leave.

She described him as white but very tanned, in his 20’s with a foreign accent. He was about 5’8”and had short black hair which was wavy at the front. He was wearing a black windbreaker type jacket.

Police have not confirmed whether the two offences are linked but there are clear similarities between the two.

Detective Constable Alex Campbell from the East Sussex Priority Crime Team has said "We are appealing for any witnesses to these crimes and anyone that may have seen the offenders in the area or had people knock at their doors with the same story.

"We would ask people to be on their guard against this type of offending and our advice is to never let anyone to your home without checking who they are first.

"Any genuine person knocking at your door will have ID on them which we advise people to check and contact the company first before allowing them into your home.

"If you do let anyone in your home ensure your front door is closed behind them so nobody else can follow them into the address whilst you are elsewhere.”