House owners are warned about predatory distraction burglars

They have called on the public to be vigilant, describing them as "a very determined group".

So far, ten incidents in the county have been blamed on the gang who have pretended to turn off water pipes to get into the homes of their victims.

Chief Insp John Jones said homeowners spotting any suspicious activity "should call us straight away".

Water pipes

The incidents began in Northamptonshire in the early on Thursday evening when two young men entered a house in Braunston to check water pipes and after they left cash was found to be missing.

About an hour later two men who called at a house in Newnham and asked to be allowed to turn off the water, were refused entry.

Later two men called at homes in Preston Capes, Flore and Harpole.

Mr Jones said: "These are clearly a very determined group of people who have probably travelled into our area with the sole intention of committing as much crime as they can.

"People should make sure that they keep their doors and windows locked even when they are at home and not answer their door to anyone they don't expect to call."

Meanwhile, an elderly woman was left shaken after her home in Stoney Stratford, Milton Keynes, was ransacked as she talked to a man on the doorstep.