Gardaí in Cork city have issued a warning over crimes involving house callers over the past few weeks.
According to gardaí, elderly and vulnerable people in particular have been targeted by thieves representing themselves as employees of local authorities and saying they need to check gas, power or water supplies.
While the homeowner is preoccupied with the callers, a second person steals items from the house. These burglaries have taken place in Ballinlough, Douglas and Rochestown area of Cork in the last few weeks.
Gardaí have advised people to check the identification of callers, and to contact gardaí if they are concerned.