Bogus callers 'asking for paper'

Police issued a warning to elderly and vulnerable people

Elderly and vulnerable people in Surrey are being warned about bogus callers who claim to need a pen and paper.

Police said the latest method of deception had been used in one attempted burglary, and was also used to gain entry to another house.

On Thursday, a man and a woman asked a resident in Whyteleafe if they could borrow a pen and paper to leave a note.

They went in and the woman distracted the 90-year-old resident, while the man searched the house, police said.

Officers said a disabled badge was removed from the property, but was later found nearby.

The attempted burglary by the same couple happened moments later in Caterham, but the 72-year-old resident activated her security alarm and the pair ran away, Det Ch Insp Chris Raymer said.