AN ELDERLY woman was burgled after letting a man into her house who claimed he needed to check her garden for damage.

The 75-year-old was at her house in Home Close, Stotfold, when a man came to the front door claiming he had damaged a water pipe while working on a new property nearby.

He claimed he was worried the victim’s property could suffer as a result and asked if he could check the back garden for signs of leakage.

The victim accompanied him through the house and into the garden, where there was no sign of damage. As they walked back through the house, the man ‘locked’ the back door behind him. He then asked the woman to check the taps upstairs – which she did – before the offender left the property.

Shortly afterwards, the victim set the burglar alarm and left with her daughter, but when they returned a little later the alarm was sounding and someone had entered the property.

It is believed although the offender had left the rear door open, he had to force open an inner door which triggered the alarm. A quick search of the downstairs had been conducted by him, but nothing was taken.

It happened on Tuesday afternoon, at about 2.30pm.

DC Howes, who is investigating, said: “While the victim only left the offender alone in her home for a few seconds during his visit, it is clear that he was able to unlock a door with the intention of returning later. Thankfully the victim’s home security was set and it appears that the alarm sounding did enough to prevent the burglar from escaping with anything.

“We would really like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time or anyone else who may have information – however small or insignificant they think it is – that could help us.

“Don’t dismiss your information as unimportant – even tiny details which don’t seem relevant now might become useful later on in the investigation.”

The offender is described as being a white man, in his 30s, around five feet eight inches tall, of slim build and with no accent. He was wearing a blue woolly hat and ‘workman’ style clothing.

Anyone with information is asked to call DC Howes on 01234 275356, or the non-emergency number 101.