CROOKS posing as council workers duped their way into two pensioners homes in the same road at the same time.

The tricksters targeted two bungalows in Arnheim Avenue, Aveley, claiming to be council workers who had come to repair their window sills.

At one of the homes, the 67-year-old man let them in, but after the pair went into his bedroom, the pensioner became suspicious and confronted the men, who fled.

At the same time, a 70-year-old woman answered the door to another bogus caller, making the same claim.

The pensioner let him in, but also became suspicious and told the man to leave.

In both cases the men fled empty-handed.

The first man was mixed race, aged 40 to 45, with short dark hair.

The second man was white, aged 25 to 30, 6ft tall, slim with short dark brown hair.

A conmen also struck at the home of another elderly woman in Cruick Avenue, South Ockendon.

He told her there was a problem with the fence and the woman let him in.

As she made her way to the garden she realised the man was not behind her and had stolen £20 from her purse before fleeing.

He was white, aged in his late 20s, 5ft 9ins tall, slim, with short dark hair.

Contact police at Grays on 01375 391212.