AN elderly lady was stolen from by cruel and heartless thieves in Widnes.

Cheshire Police says it is aware of a distraction burglary in the Appleton area of the town over recent days.

The perpetrators posed as roof repairers to commit the crime, with officers also receiving reports of ‘persistent and intimidating’ roof repairmen elsewhere on Friday.

Police are urging residents to be aware of the scam and to help to ensure elderly or vulnerable people do not fall victim.

The force’s Ditton and Hale Police team said: “We noticed an incident in the Appleton area a few days ago.

“An elderly resident was a victim of a distraction burglary in which they had money stolen by people posing as roof repairers.

“We had a report from Wyncroft Road on Friday night of a ‘persistent and intimidating’ man asking to do roof repairs on a property.

“Please do not enter into any agreements with cold callers touting for business. Look out for neighbours, especially the elderly vulnerable, and make them aware of such incidents.

“Please call the police on 101 at the time should you encounter such activity, and we will hopefully prevent a possible crime taking place.”