Northumbria Police are linking both incidents which happened in the Shiny Row area.

The first was last Wednesday when cash was stolen from a 93-year-old woman by two men claiming to be from a drain and sewage firm.

Two days later, two men claiming to be from the same company went into the home of an 83-year old woman.

While one of them turned the taps on and off, the second searched home and stole cash.

The first man is described as being about 30-years-old, 5 ft 7 in, with black curly hair, a fresh complexion and a local accent.

He was wearing a dark coat.

His accomplice was about 20-years-old, thin build, with short fair hair and was wearing a navy jumper and dark trousers.