Police are appealing for information after an elderly Hampshire couple were targeted by fraudsters/

At some time between midday and 1pm on Saturday, January 14 someone knocked at the door of an elderly couple’s home in Festing Grove, Southsea.

They answered the door to two men who asked questions about the paintwork on the outside of the house. They carried out a walk round and claimed to have noticed some damp patches and said their house would be guaranteed so any work would be free of charge.

However, they then stated they needed £250 in cash to hire an industrial dehumidifier to sort out the damp and that it needed to be done that day.

The woman left the address to catch a bus to go to the bank. She returned a short while later and was met by one of the men. She handed over the money and he told her that they needed even more money.

The couple refused, so the man took the money and said he would see what he could do. They asked for a receipt and as he was leaving the address and he told them he would drop it off later. They did not return.

One of the men is described as: White, aged in his late 30s, of stocky build, with short brown hair and with some facial hair. He was wearing a blue checkered shirt, grey tracksuit bottoms and possibly trainers.

The other man is described as: White, aged around 30, about 5ft 11ins, of slim build with mousey coloured hair. He was also wearing a blue checkered shirt.

Police Staff Investigator Simon Collins, said: “I would like to speak to anyone who may have seen these two men in the Festing Grove area that day. Did you see them? Did they approach you offering to do work in exchange for money? These men would have been in the area for at 45 minutes to an hour and could have had a vehicle with them. If you have any information, please call us.

“As always, I would urge anyone with vulnerable friends, family or neighbours to make them aware of these types of incidents. If people are in any doubt, particularly of cold callers, then they should either contact the police or Trading Standards.”

Anyone with information about this incident should call PSI Collins at Fratton police station on 101.