A FRAIL pensioner had £200 stolen from her home by a woman who had called asking for help, claiming she was injured.

The 79-year-old victim took mercy on the young thief when she knocked at her door saying she had hit her head, felt dizzy and asked for a glass of water.

She invited her inside, sat her down and gave her a drink and cigarette.

Once inside the house, the conwoman told the pensioner she had dropped something in her hallway.

However, after looking for a matter of seconds the victim returned to her lounge where she saw the woman fiddling with her handbag before she left.

The thief was white, aged approximately in her mid-20s, 5ft 7in and of slim build. She is described as having distinctive eyes.

She had black hair which was tied up, and she was wearing a short, black, pleated skirt and carrying a large white shoulder bag.

Shortly afterwards, the elderly woman, who has been left shaken by her ordeal, discovered £200 she had put aside to pay a bill and a purse containing her Post Office card had gone.

Witnesses to the distraction burglary, which happened on Thursday, May 12, shortly after 2pm, in the city centre area of Southampton, should contact DC Russell Bennett at Shirley CID on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.