DETECTIVES IN THE North are investigating a number of burglaries this week targeting elderly people in Carrickfergus and Ballymena, Co Antrim.

The first occurred on Tuesday, when a man and woman described to be of eastern Eastern appearance called to the door of an elderly woman living in sheltered accommodation.

Whilst the woman distracted the resident of the home, the man entered the house and stole her handbag.

On a number of other occasions on Tuesday and Wednesday, a couple matching the suspects’ description gained entry to elderly peoples’ establishments.

When challenged, they were said to have responded in poor English that they were there to visit a resident before leaving.

Inspector Michael Simpson said: “I believe all the incidents to be linked and that this couple are opportunistic thieves specifically targeting elderly, vulnerable people.

They were both described as being around 30 years old, and spoke poor English with an eastern European accent, and are believed to have been travelling in a small blue car.