Distraction theft on Telford woman, 81

Distraction burglars stole hundreds of pounds from the home of an 81-year-old woman in Telford while she was hanging out her washing, police said today.

Officers said the pensioner was in the garden of her home in Upper Road, Madeley, when she was approached by a man who claimed he was from Telford & Wrekin Council and had come to check her fence.

Detective Constable Paul Stoddard-Crompton said: "The woman thought nothing of it but when she came to pay some bills some days later, she noticed that an amount of money was missing from her house.

"It is believed someone else entered her home while she was chatting to the unknown man and searched the property before stealing the cash."

He added: "The burglary took place at the time parents would have been picking up their children from the nearby John Fletcher School. We would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious."

The man is described as being in his 40s, of medium build with short brown hair and a slight Irish accent.

Det Con Stoddard-Crompton said he kept the woman chatting for about 10 minutes before leaving at around 4pm on April 7.

Anyone with information can call 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.