THIEVES targeted a elderly man in his Crewe home, stealing sentimental jewellery belonging to his late wife.

Officers from Crewe CID are now appealing for witnesses to the distraction burglary, which took place in Carlisle Street between 1.40pm and 2.05pm on Tuesday, October 31.

At 11.30am that day a man attended the 83-year-old victim’s address and offered to clean his gutters. Later that day two men arrived to clean the gutters and a second man asked to enter the address to mix some sealant to make a repair.

This man is described as white, of medium build with a brown/auburn close shaven beard, was in his early 30s and spoke with an east midlands accent.

He was wearing a dark grey peaked cap, a long sleeved grey top with a high-visibility jacket and grey trousers.

The victim led the man to the kitchen with the front door ajar. The man kept the victim talking and, while doing so, another person entered the address and stole a jewellery box and jewellery before fleeing the scene.

DC Nigel Mills said: “This is an appalling incident where two men have targeted an elderly man in his own home. The jewellery is of sentimental value to the victim as it belonged to his recently deceased wife.

“We want to trace the men responsible and are asking people to cast their minds back to that day and if anyone can remember people going door-to-door or asking about gutters please get in touch with us on 101 quoting incident number 462 of 31/10/17, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”