AN elderly woman's kindness backfired - when a doorstep caller took cash from her home.

The 70-year-old victim was sitting in her flat when there was a knock at the door where she lives in Beverley Court, Fartown.

She opened the door to a woman who asked if she could use the phone because her car had broken down.

After asking for a drink of water because she felt ill, the visitor took a purse and money from the front room while her host was in the kitchen.

She then sat calmly talking for 20 minutes before driving off in a Vauxhall Corsa.

Police said other people may have been victims of a similar trick and asked them to come forward.

PC Peter Warwick said: "This happened on April 8 but wasn't reported until some time later as the victim was very embarrassed.

"There may be other people who have suffered something similar."

The woman is described as white, with a pale complexion and in her late 20s.

She was 5ft 4in, had untidy mousy hair which was brushed back and was spotty around the mouth and chin area.

She was wearing a low-cut white blouse and faded blue-type jeans and had flip flops.

Contact PC Warwick on 01484 436664.