POLICE believe conmen who pretend to be gas engineers have used the ploy twice to trick their way into the homes of elderly people.
A man called at the home of an 81-year-old woman on Smiths Avenue in Marsh at 12.30pm on Wednesday.
He claimed he worked for the gas board and said he needed to check the gas pressure on her cooker.
But while he distracted her in the kitchen, an accomplice sneaked in and searched several rooms.
The victim became suspicious and discovered this second intruder in the lounge.
She told both men to leave and they did.
It is not known if anything was stolen.
Police believe it may be the same men who called at the home of an elderly couple on Station Road, Honley, at 11.15am on Wednesday.
They claimed there had been a gas explosion at a nearby school and needed to check their home for contaminated gas.
One of the men had an object the size of a mobile phone which bleeped and he reckoned this helped him find any contaminated gas.
The second man stole cash from drawers while the couple were busy with the first man.
Pc Dave McSweeney, of Huddersfield police, said: "We want people to be aware that these thieves are around. Always make sure you ask for identification and check with their company to make sure they are who they say they are.
"Genuine callers will have proper identification badges and will be happy to wait while you check them out."
One of the men is white, aged about 25 with dark hair which was long on top and flicked back and short at the sides. He may have a speech impediment.
The other man is also white, aged about 25, with very short dark hair.
Contact Pc David Robinson on 01484 436664.
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