ELDERLY residents are being warned to be wary of door-step callers canvassing them to do voluntary work.

South Worcestershire police warn that this could be a new method would-be thieves are using to distract victims while an accomplice enters their property.

The warning follows an incident in Crown Street, Worcester, on Monday, April 16, where a woman, calling herself Lisa held a woman resident in conversation for some minutes at 4pm. When the occupier went back into her house her purse containing £60 and banking and personal items had been taken.

A police spokesman said: "The woman was extremely persistent as well as plausible and even went back to the address a second time.

"She held the victim in conversation long enough for an accomplice to enter the address by another open door and steal."

Lisa is described as white, very English, aged about 20, 5ft 6ins tall, of slim build with dark, shoulder-length hair tied back. She was wearing a light-coloured, patterned summer dress. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 08457 444 888, quoting 495S/160407.