DETECTIVES are warning residents to be on their guard after three people in Basildon were targeted by the same conman in recent days.
The Echo told last week how, last Monday, a man conned his way into the home of a pensioner in her 90s at Eliot Close, Wickford claiming to be a gardener.
He asked the woman for a pen and paper and while she ewas gone stole her purse containing £70.
Just 24-hours later con artists struck again at a home in Langham Crescent, Billericay. The trickster claimed to be a rat catcher, forced his way in and stole £20.

Then, on Friday July 20, a man called at a home in Malyons Mews, Pitsea where he claimed to be a police officer. He tricked his way into the home and stole £20.
The incidents are being linked to three similar crimes in Brentwood, where a man tricked his way into homes by claiming to be a gardener, a tree surgeon or a rat catcher.