Two men who pretended to be workmen in order to burgle six homes in Kent, including that of a vulnerable man in his 80s, are being sought by police.

The suspects are thought to have to have targeted the properties over a course of eight hours on April 13 – travelling from Gravesend to Norfleet before heading to Rochester.

In the first attempted theft, two men visited a home in Saint Gregory’s Crescent, Gravesend, between 8.55am and 9.20am – pretending to be checking for damp.

They were eventually challenged for ID and left without taking anything.

At 12.15, a distraction burglary took place in Franklin Road. A woman was diverted by one man, whilst his accomplice sneaked in through her back garden and stole cash.

Map: The burglars travelled across Kent to Gregory's Crescent (A), Franklin Road (B), Harden Road (C), Hall Road (D), and Weller Avenue (E).

Less than an hour later at 1pm, the thieves moved onto another property in Harden Road, Northfleet, to steal more money.

One man pretended to be from the water board inspecting a leak, and asked to be shown the victim’s back garden whilst his accomplice made in through the front foor.

They were at the property until 1.30pm, and were already fleecing another victim in Hall Road at 1.50pm.

One man claimed to be carrying out pavement work whilst his accomplice broke into the house and stole a safe containing personal belongings.

A second home in the same street was then targeted at 2.30pm – with the same water board story. A man entered the house, but nothing was taken.

Kent Police officers have now released a CCTV image of a man taken during an attempted burglary in Weller Avenue, Rochester, at 4pm the same day.

It is thought that he is one of the criminals involved in the earlier thefts.

He pretended to be checking the resident’s gas and electric meters – but the victim became suspicious when he asked the man who go into the bathroom and turn on the tap, so he could check the boiler.

The victim asked the man to leave, and nothing was stolen.

Anyone who recognises the man in the pictures is asked to call Kent Police’s appeal line on 01634 792209, quoting reference ZY/13824/16 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.