AN elderly woman's handbag was stolen in one of two suspicious incidents in Verwood yesterday.

At around 6.30pm a young man knocked on the door of an address in Owls Road claiming he was looking for someone. Shortly afterwards an older man went to the back door and knocked persistently.

The householder, a woman aged in her 70s, refused to open the door and the two men left.

Around an hour later a burglary occurred a few streets away at a home in Sherwood Drive.

The occupant, a woman aged in her 80s, opened her door to a young man who claimed he was working at a nearby property. A second man arrived and they both entered the house.

While inside, the offenders stole the victim’s handbag, but left the scene when they realised the victim had activated her Careline alarm.

Neither victim was physically injured in the incident.

Dorset Police are seeking witnesses and information following the incident.

Detective Constable Christian Bryant, of Bournemouth CID, said: "Unfortunately neither victim has been able to give us a description of the offenders but we do believe the same two men were responsible for both incidents.

"I am appealing to anyone who saw two men acting suspiciously in the area at the time of the two incidents to please call me."

No arrests have been made.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 3:342, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.