Elderly residents are being warned to be on their guard following a spate of distraction burglaries in Coulsdon and the surrounding areas.

On Friday two 79-year-old victims from Westleigh Avenue, Coulsdon were burgled at about 8pm after letting in a man who said he was from the Neighbourhood Watch.

A further 10 similar incident took place on the same night in the bordering Reigate, Redhill and Banstead areas.

The man, who called himself Andy, said he needed to check the victims' home for intruders.

Three more burglars then entered the house, with two waiting with the female victim while the other two went upstairs stealing cash from a bedside cabinet drawer.

The male victim then managed to chase all the burglars out of the house.

All four burglars were white men believed to be in their mid-twenties. The first suspect was wearing a baseball cap, a brown or blue jacked and had dark hair.

The second suspect wore a dark baseball cap, a dark jacked and trousers while the third suspect wore a brown and jacked and dark trousers.

The fourth suspect wore blue jeans.

Sarah Gardner, Neighbourhood Watch Police Liaison Officer, said: "Using Neighbourhood Watch in such a manner is despicable. It is certainly not within the remit of the Neighbourhood Watch co-ordintaors to search premises, this is clearly the role of the local police.

"We now have one of the most successful Neighbourhood Watch networks in London with over 494 Neighbourhood Watches across the borough. A further 20 watches have been set up so far this year.

"Our co-ordinators work tirelessly to build up trust in the local communities by assisting the police with crime prevention and Neighbourhood Watch continues to be a vital resource in the police's efforts to reduce crime. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage others to come forward and set up a Neighbourhood watch in their road or local area."

Anyone with any information about this case is urged to contact DS Euan McDougall Priority Crime Unit based at South Norwood on 020 8649 1217 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

To find out more about Croydon Neighbourhood Watch call Sarah Gardner 020 8649 0168.