PRESTON police have re-issued a warning to residents to check the credentials of visiting officials, after conmen robbed an elderly woman.

Two men, wearing high-visibility vests and claiming to be from the Water Board, told the 87-year-old they were switching the water off and that she should fill up some buckets. When she left to do so, one of them sneaked in and stole £500 from the house, in Ribbleton Avenue.

The men, both white and 5ft 6ins, struck around 2.30pm on November 21. Detective Sergeant David Jacques said: "The reality is that this is a dreadful crime against the most vulnerable people in our society.

"All we can do is put out the crime prevention message telling people not to let anyone in without them showing proper identification first. And if in doubt, call the police. We would rather be called out to check than after a burglary."

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