AN ELDERLY woman has fallen prey to a pair of cowardly burglars who posed as gardeners to con their way into her Poole home.

The crooks, now the focus of a Dorset Police hunt, stole the 79-year-old’s handbag, containing cash and bank cards.

By working with witnesses, police constable Richard Skinner, of Bournemouth and Poole police, has now released an E-fit of one of the men believed to be involved.

PC Skinner explained: “The two men called at the victim’s address under the pretence that they were undertaking gardening work at the next door neighbours.

“They claimed it was necessary to prune from within the victim’s garden.”

The shocked pensioner, of Danecourt Road, later discovered her handbag had been swiped.

Neighbour William Jones told the Daily Echo: “This is a pretty cowardly thing to do to an elderly woman.

“I guess you’ve really got to be careful who you open your door to these days.”

Another nearby resident, who asked not to be named, said: “People who target the elderly and vulnerable like this are scum, nothing less.”

PC Skinner believes one of the burglars spent time discussing the so-called work with the victim while the other rifled through her house and stole the bag.

He said: “Following further inquiries, I am now able to release an e-fit of the man that distracted the elderly lady and I would urge anyone who recognises this man to contact me urgently.”

The pictured offender was described as being white, aged in his mid to late 20s and around 6ft tall.

He had dark hair and was clean shaven.

The second man was also white, aged mid to late twenties and around 6ft tall.

PC Skinner urged: “Anyone with information about this burglary and the two men responsible should call Dorset Police at the earliest opportunity.”

This distraction burglary took place at the pensioner’s Danecourt Road home on April 3 around 12.30pm.