ELDERLY people were put on alert today after two Southampton women in their 80s were targeted by doorstep conmen.

Police appealed for householders to be vigilant following two unrelated attempted break-ins across the city earlier this week.

The first involved a woman of 86 who became suspicious of a supposed gas worker who knocked at her door at about 8pm on Tuesday.

Police said the man, who asked about the occupant's gas supply, fled from the property in Wycliffe Road, Townhill, when the pensioner asked him for ID.

In the second incident, two conmen barged their way into the home of an 84-year-old woman after claiming to have damaged her fence.

Although nothing was stolen, police fear the pair were on the lookout for property to take and are likely to strike again.

The pensioner was targeted shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, when she heard a knock at the door of her home in Knighton Road, Sholing.

Police said the woman found a man on the doorstep who claimed to have damaged her fence and was offering £10 to pay for repairs.

But the stranger pushed the pensioner aside and marched into her kitchen, where he was joined by a second man.

After talking among themselves, the pair left empty handed - and with the £10 originally offered to the elderly occupant.

Today Hampshire police spokeswoman Lucy Dibdin said: "We would advise the public, especially the elderly who are more vulnerable to this sort of crime, to be vigilant.

"There are obviously several unscrupulous individuals operating in the Southampton area at the moment and we would advise people not to allow anyone into their home unless they have confirmed their identity."

Police said both men in the Knighton Road incident were white, in their 30s and of medium build. One was about 5ft 10in and his accomplice was 5ft 8in.

Anyone with information can contact Southampton Central police on 0845 045 4545, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.