ELDERLY residents are being warned to be on their guard after a thief tricked his way into a 94-year-old woman’s house and stole £100 in cash.

Police said the man told the pensioner he had come to advise her about counterfeit money, which was being circulated in the community.

But when the elderly woman went into a different room to check her money, he followed her and took £100 worth of bank notes from her, officers said.

He then left the address, in Ringstone Crescent, Nelson, at around 7.30pm on Sunday evening and was last seen making off on a bike.

Police said the offender is described as being a white man, in his early 20s and between 5ft 5in and 5ft 6in tall.

Sgt Keith Beckley, of Nelson Police, said: “This is clearly a crime targeting the elderly and vulnerable in Nelson. It is taking priority at this moment in time and we are currently following up a number of leads.

“We would like to make the public aware that should they have elderly or vulnerable relatives, they should perform doorstep checks on people, use a chain if they have one fitted and not allow anyone entry to see their currency to determine whether it is counterfeit.”

Anyone with information should call Nelson Police on 01282 472604 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.