Police are warning the elderly against two conmen operating in the Plumstead and Eltham areas.

The warning follows an incident last week in which an elderly people's home was raided by one of the conmen, who stole cash from two of the residents.

It brings the number of victims of the two tricksters to eight in just two weeks.

This latest incident took place in Defiance Walk, Plumstead, where one of the two culprits used the home's Christmas decorations and flowers as a lure to get into the victims' appartments.

The burglar, who was described as black, aged about 25, 5ft 8ins tall, wearing a wollen hat and a blue jacket, pretended to be delivering the "borrowed" goods then offered to make tea or help the victims while stealing their cash and jewellery. The victims were aged between73 and 92.

Another man, described as white, aged about 30, with light brown hair, sometimes operates alongside him.

Sergeant Mick Gordon at Plumsead Ploice said the two men had not caused any injury so far but could become dangerous. He added: "Don't let anyone you don't know into your home."

If you have any information on the burglars, call police on 0181 301 1212.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.