FOUR men wearing high-vis jackets have conned an elderly woman in her 90s during a distraction burglary in Burtonwood.

Detectives are investigating after the four men, who were travelling in a white van, targeted the pensioner at her home on Wednesday to steal her money

Police say at 11.30am three men knocked on the door of the 93-year-old woman on Penkford Lane.

When she answered the door the three men were stood in her front garden and a fourth was sitting in a white van wearing a hi-vis jacket.

The men claimed they were from the water board and asked to come into the property to check the water metre.

The victim let one man into the address but left the door open.

The man was shown the water meter and he then said he needed to see the kitchen to check the taps.

He distracted the victim by asking her to remove some cleaning products from underneath her sink and, while she was doing this, she saw one of the other men enter her living room.

She asked the man what he was doing and grabbed hold of his arm.

A third man then came downstairs and all three men ran out of the property into the white van, which then drove off in the direction of Burtonwood.

The men stole approximately £100.

The first man is described as white, in his 40s, approximately 5ft 7ins and of medium build.

He spoke with a local accent and was wearing a hi-vis vest.

The second man is described as white, in his early 20s with dark hair.

The third man is described as white, in his 20s with light coloured hair.

Detective constable Vicky Hancox said: “These men have used a vulnerable woman’s trusting nature as a way to steal her money.

“It is utterly disgusting and we need the help of everyone in the community to catch the thieves.

“If you are unsure about whether to let someone in who calls do not let them in.

“Ask for identification and do not call any of the numbers they give you. Find a number in the phone book or online. If you have any doubts ask them to come back another time when you are not alone.

“There is no such thing as the water board any more. There are water companies but if anyone says they are from the water board please call the police.

“If you have any information about this incident please call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML 227599.”