DESPICABLE thieves left an elderly woman shocked and upset after they tricked their way into her home and stole cash.Police are appealing for anyone who saw the conmen, who struck at a sheltered housing complex in Great Whelnetham, near Bury St Edmunds, to come forward.

DESPICABLE thieves left an elderly woman shocked and upset after they tricked their way into her home and stole cash.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the conmen, who struck at a sheltered housing complex in Great Whelnetham, near Bury St Edmunds, to come forward.

The 73-year-old was resting at her Erskine Lodge home when she heard a tapping on her window, said police spokesman Mike Nunn.

She then heard a man's voice asking her to open her front door. As she did this, it is believed a second offender climbed through a window into her front room and stole her black leather purse containing a small quantity of cash.

He said both men then left through the front door.

Det Con Matthew Little, said: “This is a despicable crime which has left the victim extremely upset. We are particularly keen to talk with the occupants of a small yellow sports style car seen outside Erskine Lodge at approximately 6.15pm on the day of the offence and two men using the phone box on Sicklesmere Road at approximately 9.10pm.

“We would also like to remind people to be vigilant if they receive an unexpected call at their property. Please help us ensure that your elderly friends or relatives do not become victims of this crime and talk to them about the 'stop, chain, check' code - it could prevent the heartache of having valuables stolen.

“Before you open the door to a caller make sure you stop and consider if you are expecting anyone, lock any other doors to your property and then chain or bar your door before opening it.

“Then check the caller has photographic identification. Make sure that you are happy that this identification is legitimate.

“If they have not got a card, or you are not happy with the identification provided, keep then out and dial 999.”

Both offenders, who struck at around 9pm on January 20, were white, 5ft 9in tall, in their late twenties, with short dark hair and wore dark clothing.

Police are also hunting for two other men who carried out a distraction burglary at the home of a 75-year-old woman in Grange Road, Felixstowe at around 2pm on January 27.

A man called at the victim's home and asked to pass on a message to an electrician who he said would be calling later. He then left.

After ten minutes a second man knocked on the door claiming to be the electrician. He entered the house and asked the victim to get him a stepladder before carrying out several checks and then leaving.

Next day the victim realised that her pension money had been stolen.

Both men are described as white, about 5ft 10ins tall, well built and in their late 40's to mid-50's. The first man had grey hair in an old fashioned style and wore a tie, jacket and trousers. His accomplice also had grey hair, wore similar clothes and carried a hand-held gadget.

Any information about the Felixstowe incident to Felixstowe CID on 01473 613500. Any information about the Great Whelnetham conmen, call Suffolk police on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555111.