POLICE are warning pensioners to be on their guard after several lost their life savings to bogus callers with fake identity badges.

The callers have been deliberately targeting old people living on their own particularly women.

The victims have lost jewellery and cash.

Police say the burglaries all follow the same pattern. A smartly-dressed man, whom victims have described as "polite, confident and very plausible", calls at the house claiming to be from a water or electricity company.

He then shows the victim a fake identity badge and says he needs to fix the stop-cock.

While he keeps the victim occupied, an accomplice slips into the house behind him.

Homes in Woodwards and Sadlers Mead are among those which have been targeted.

According to police, the robberies are taking place across Harlow, wherever there is a concentration of old people.

Detective Constable Jeanette Hinds is advising all the town's elderly people to carry out the following checks, before admitting anyone to their home:

Consider whether you are expecting someone from the utility companies

If the caller has an identity badge take it from him, close the door, and have a good look at it

Find out which company they are from and then call the company and check the visitor's name

If in doubt, call the police.

DC Hinds added: "True representatives from the utility companies don't mind waiting while the homeowner checks their identity.

"And if they are not prepared to hand over their badges for inspection then they are suspect and you should close the door on them."

Police have issued a photofit image of one of the men.

Anyone with any information about the callers should ring Harlow police on 01279 641212.