POLICE are appealing for information about a distraction burglary in High Street, Old Harlow, on Monday, September 18.
Two men have knocked at the home of a 77-year-old man at around 3.20pm and insisted that his garden fence needed painting.
While one of the suspects was talking to the victim, the other entered his living room and removed some items of jewellery from the table. They then both left the scene.
The suspects have been described as being white, aged in their 30s and around 5ft 10ins tall with short brown hair.
One suspect wore a grey tracksuit bottoms and a green bomber jacket and the other wore jeans and a dark blue or black bomber jacket.
Investigating officer Pc Carlo Marchione, of Harlow CID, said: “This was a particularly brazen burglary where the suspects have knocked at the home of their elderly victim’s home in the middle of the day and have posed as painters. One of the suspects has then continued to engage the man in conversation while the other has searched through his home and stolen valuable jewellery.
“These individuals could target other elderly and vulnerable people in the area and I urge anyone with information to Harlow CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
For more information on bogus callers visit: https://www.essex.police.uk/advice/bogus-callers/.