DETECTIVES are urging pensioners to be on their guard for doorstep callers after “cowardly” conmen stole an engagement ring from an elderly woman.

The men, believed to be in their 30s, called at the 94-year-old’s house saying they were from the water board.

The pensioner let them in, and after searching every room they left with a number of items of jewellery and the woman’s engagement ring.

The woman was able to give police descriptions of the men, which police hope will be recognised by members of the public.

The men called at the pensioner’s house in Agecroft Road, Rudheath, at 10.30am on Wednesday, July 16.

“They told her they were from the water board, and that there was a problem with the pressure in the street,” said Det Con Claire Beach from Northwich Police.

“They asked if they could come inside and check her water pressure.”

The elderly woman let the men in to her property, and they did not show her any identification.

The men then told the woman to run her taps in the kitchen and to monitor the pressure while they checked the mains pressure.

“The men then searched all the rooms in the address without her knowledge, and stole several items of jewellery which were of sentimental value, including her engagement ring,” said DC Beach.

The men are described as white, in their 30s. One was six feet tall, of medium build, with short brown hair and wore a white shirt and dark trousers.

His accomplice was five feet nine inches tall, of slim build, with short brown spiky hair, and wore a dark shirt and blue jeans.

“This was a cowardly crime where the perpetrators preyed on a vulnerable individual, and we are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen males in the area on this day fitting the descriptions,” said DC Beach.

“We are also asking residents to be extra vigilant and to always ask to see identification.”

If anyone saw men fitting the descriptions or has information which could help police ring DC Beach on 01606 364285, quoting incident number CC14205999.