Police have hit out at "despicable" con artists who tricked their way into a 94-year-old woman's home and stole her pension book.
Two young men duped their way into the woman's home in St Katherine's Court, Canvey, by telling her they were working on the building.
Once inside they took her money and her pension book before leaving. The thieves then tried to trick their way into two other elderly resident's homes, but were unsuccessful.
Acting Insp Kevin Diable-White from Rayleigh Police said: "This was a despicable act.
"To target such vulnerable people is horrible and while it is rare that they cause physical harm to the victims, these incidents leave a lasting sense of extreme shock."
The incident at St Katherine's Court occurred at about 4pm yesterday, and the two men are described as in their late teens or early 20s with local accents.
One is 5ft 6ins tall with short mousey brown hair. The second man is 5ft 7ins, of medium build with short dark cropped hair and wearing dark jeans and a jumper.
Anyone with information should contact Det Con John Kieran at Canvey CID on 01268 775533.
Published Wednesday April 7, 2004
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