AN 83-YEAR-OLD pensioner has had jewellery worth thousands of pounds stolen over the bank holiday after playing "good samaritan" to a man claiming to be a broken down motorist.

More than £9,000 worth of diamond and gold jewellery was stolen from the elderly lady's ground floor sheltered accommodation flat at Gill Court, in Blackpool, on Monday, May 26.

The woman answered a knocjk at the door and a man asked could he use the phone to call the AA after his car broke down outside.

She invited the man -- who is described as around 5ft 11ins, wearing a black leather waist-length jacket and blue jeans -- inside and, while he used the telephone, went into the kitchen to get him a glass of water.

When she returned he was no longer there. She later discovered that her beige leather handbag was missing.

Among the items taken with the handbag were two 18ct white gold diamond rings, an 18ct yellow gold twisted diamond ring and the lady's pension money.

It is thought that the offender gained access to the building by bypassing intercom security, possibly after another resident or visitor held the door for him.

Police are urging the elderly to be aware of who they let into their homes and buildings.

A police spokesman said: "The problem is that older folk are from a different generation, one which was brought up to do a good turn for a stranger in need.

"Obviously no blame is being attached to these kind-hearted pensioners for helping seemingly innocent people out when they claim to be in trouble.

"These people are often very convincing and don't fit the profile of a stereotypical villain so it's easy for a good samaritan to be fooled by them.

"Unfortunately, elderly people need to remember that these days there are those who are all too willing to take advantage of someone who makes themselves vulnerable by inviting them into their home.

"And residents living in sheltered accommodation need to be just as vigilant as those living on their own because, despite the presence of on-site staff, the criminally-minded have ways of getting into the premises.

"We would urge people living in buildings with intercoms to be wary of holding open the door for strangers, buzzing unknown people into buildings or allowing them near their homes."

Anyone with further information should contact Blackpool Police on 01253 293933 or crimestoppers on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference AM2902.