Surrey Police is appealing for witnesses after a 93-year-old woman had approximately £2,000 stolen from her home following a distraction burglary.

The incident happened between 11am and 2pm on, Thursday, 18 February when the elderly lady returned to her home in Westway, Caterham-on-the-Hill.  A man approached her as she was unlocking her front door and said that he was there to install her loft insulation.

The lady allowed him to come into her property and he spent approximately three hours wandering around in the loft and the cellar before requesting £120 for the initial work he had done, he then left with the money.

A second suspect knocked on the elderly lady's door, claiming to be a police officer he said he was returning £120 to her from a suspected robber he had just caught.  After quickly showing the elderly lady, what she thought was a warrant card she allowed him into her property to carry out a search. The second suspect then stole approximately £2,000 from the victim and left.

The first suspect is described as a white man, aged approximately 30 years-old, 5ft 8' to 5ft 10' tall, of slim build and short hair, he was softly spoken with a slight Irish accent, he wore a mixed coloured top, dark trousers with brown shoes.

Suspect two is described as a white male, age 30 to 35 years-old, approximately 5ft 5' tall, tubby/broad build, very short mousy coloured hair, with a local southern accent, wearing dark blue waist length material jacket, a round neck brown and blue jumper with a T-shirt underneath and dark coloured jeans.

Investigating officer PC Ryan Bramley from East Surrey's Pro-active Investigation Team said: "This is a despicable crime, preying on elderly peoples good nature is appalling and stealing their savings is heartless. 

"It is vital that we hear from anyone that was in the area at the time these suspects were in Westway and possibly saw someone that looked suspicious. If you think you may be able to help us catch these suspects, please get in touch with Surrey Police.

"Surrey Police is working with vulnerable and elderly people to make them aware of the methods of distraction burglaries and advise them what to do if a stranger calls but we need your help. Working together we can ensure vulnerable members of our community are safe and those who prey on them are locked up."

Those most at risk are also reminded to remember the golden rule: if in doubt, keep them out.

The most common method used by a bogus caller is claiming to be a water board official. Others methods include posing as builders, charity workers, police officers and neighbourhood watch volunteers.

Theses simple steps will help reduce the possibility of being targeted by bogus callers.

• Before opening your door, check who is there and put the chain on

• If they are strangers, be sure to ask ‘Who are you?' What do you want?'

• Always ask to see their identity card. Keep the chain on the door and check the identification carefully

• Do not give burglars easy access to your home by leaving your front door open

• Take a note of the company, name and telephone number. If in doubt, phone the company and check. Genuine staff from utility companies won't mind waiting or will call back later

• The golden rule is 'if in doubt, keep them out'. If you are at all concerned, call 999 immediately.

Anyone with information regarding this burglary, or if you recognise the suspect's description, please contact Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference TD/10/799 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.