AN ELDERLY woman was burgled of at least £1,000 after a con artist posed as an undercover police woman to get in her house.

The 80-year-old, of Lower Road, Hullbridge, let the crook into her home after she claimed to need to search the property due to “suspicious activity” in the area.

After completing a search of every room she left, taking with her the four-figure sum.

The victim’s son, who lives with his mother but was not at home at the time, said the incident had left her badly shaken.

He said: “She went quiet after it happened. We didn’t really get the full story about what went on until a few days later – it’s a horrible thing to happen to anyone.

“She is so kind-hearted, the kindest lady you could meet. If the woman had just come to the door and said I’m struggling, could you give me some cash, she would have, she’s that sort of person.

“When she was young, if a police officer said can we come in and use your top bedroom as a look- out you did it.

“You and I would ask to see a warrant card but she didn’t think to, she just thinks everyone would treat her the way she treats everyone else, but sadly not everyone’s as nice as her.

“The woman was in the house for ten or 20 minutes, searching every room, having a good rifle around.”

Police have knocked on doors in the area and are asking if anyone saw anything suspicious at the time of the incident – 5pm on Wednesday, March 9 – to contact them.

A police spokesman said: “A female visitor pretended to be an undercover police officer and stated she needed to search.

“The elderly occupant allowed entry and cash was stolen.

“If you saw any suspicious activity at the time or have any information, please call Essex Police.”

A neighbour of the victim, who asked not to be named, said crime appears to be increasing in the area.

He said: “We’ve had break-ins in the village and it seems to be quite common.

“Normally it is fairly quiet around here but we’ve had car thefts too and now this – it’s quite worrying.

“You can only do so much to prevent it, in terms of putting up burglar alarms and being vigilant.”

To contact police call 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or visit crimestoppers-uk.org

How to stay safe at home

POLICE advice on bogus callers:

  • If you get a phone call asking for bank details call police from a different phone or wait five minutes and be sure you hear a dialling tone
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for ID
  • Install a door chain
  • Keep the door on the chain until you’ve seen ID and checked it
  • Don’t leave the door open or unattended during a call
  • Lock the back door before opening the front door
  • Don’t be pressured into letting someone into your home if you are suspicious
  • Don’t keep large amounts of cash in the house
  • Don’t believe scare stories – not all callers are genuine
  • If you don’t want a caller to come in, tell them so