A grandmother who was acting as a good Samaritan by letting a young couple into her home and giving them directions has spoken of her shock after the pair dipped into her purse and went on a spending spree.

The Comet: Police wish to speak to this woman in relation to a distraction burglary which took place in Letchworth.Police wish to speak to this woman in relation to a distraction burglary which took place in Letchworth. (Image: Archant)

What was a routine Saturday morning shop at the supermarket turned into a nightmare for grandparents living at a house in Burley in Letchworth.

As she was returning from the Lidl store in Jubilee Road, the grandmother was approached by a woman holding a map who said she was lost and needed directions to the A1(M).

After the woman was taken into the house to have a look at a map, she asked to use the phone in another room, before another man entered the kitchen.

This man engaged the grandmother – and her husband – in conversation, during the course of which it is believed that three of the victims’ bank cards were taken from her purse.

The Comet: Police wish to speak to this woman in relation to a distraction burglary which took place in Letchworth.Police wish to speak to this woman in relation to a distraction burglary which took place in Letchworth. (Image: Archant)

To make matters worse, the grandfather even offered to show the deceitful duo the way back to the A1(M) – but by the time he had got in his car, the couple were nowhere to be seen.

A call from the police later that day revealed that the thieves had gone on a spree, withdrawing money in Letchworth before spending about £2,000 in Bedford and beyond.

The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I’m sure that they read my pin in Lidl, because how else would they have used all my bank cards?

“The whole thing really upset me, but mainly because I think it is horrible that someone followed me back to my home, which makes me feel very uneasy.

The Comet: Police wish to speak to this man in relation to a distraction burglary which took place in Letchworth.Police wish to speak to this man in relation to a distraction burglary which took place in Letchworth. (Image: Archant)

“What worried me most was that my eight-year-old grandson was on the computer at the time.

“If he had seen the woman going through my bag then who knows what she might have done to him.

“I didn’t used to lock the front door when I was upstairs in the house, but I do now.

“It all happened so quick. They seemed like a nice, young couple, who were speaking in Eastern European accents, and I thought they genuinely didn’t know the area.

“I’m not a silly person, so I feel like if they can catch me, they can catch anyone.

“It’s especially worrying for elderly or vulnerable people in the area – so they should be warned.”

A police spokesman said: “We urge people to be wary around cashpoints and tills when inputting their pin number.

“Always check your surroundings and shield the keypad from the view of others. Never reveal your pin to anyone.”

Police have released CCTV images of a pair of men and women who they wish to speak in relation to the incident, which took place between 11.10am and 11.40am on June 27.

If you recognise these people – who could be anywhere in the country – or have any information about the incident please contact Det Con Sam Casey from Operation Manhunt via the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.