Detectives are warning elderly residents to be on their guard after a smartly dressed man carried out a series of distraction burglaries across Brent last Saturday.

In the first case the suspected posed as a warden and told an 80-year-old woman that her flat in John Barker Court, Brondesbury Park Road, Brondesbury Park, had been broken into at 2.15pm.

He attempted to distract her while a second man tried to steal her handbag.

Both fled empty handed.

The second incident happened in The Circle, Willesden, at 3.40pm.

An 82-year-old man and his wife, 80, were visited by the same man who claimed he was from Neighbourhood Watch and was investigating a robbery which has just taken place nearby.

He left when he was asked for ID.

He struck a third time at The Mall, Kenton, at 4.25pm when he also claimed to his 68-year-old victim he was from Neighbourhood Watch.

In this case the man was pushed to the floor and ordered to hand over his money.

The suspect fled with the victim’s wallet and mobile phone

In all three cases the suspect was a white man, age between 40-45 with blond hair.

He was wearing a grey suit, white shirt and black shoes

In the first burglary the second man was also white but age between 25-35 and wearing a blue and white vertical striped shirt and blue jeans.

Detective Constable Ketan Gami from Brent CID said: “This has been a frightening ordeal for the victims and I would like to hear from anyone that may have information or saw these suspects in the area.

“These people often target the most vulnerable in our community and we need to send out the message that if people are not sure, do not let them in.”

Anyone with information should call Brent Police on 020 8733 3250 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.