AN ELDERLY woman fell victim to distraction burglars who conned their way into her home by claiming to be from an electricity company.

They accessed the 76-year-old's house in Midanbury, Southampton, after one crook knocked on her door, claiming to be looking into over-charging for bills in the area.

Police say he was smartly dressed and was holding a gadget.

Once inside he asked the woman to turn on her television and kettle so he could carry out some checks and he also looked at the internal electric meter.

However, while in the room the victim noticed a second man hiding behind the sofa at which she point she challenged the pair and pushed them out of the door, locking it behind them.

The burglars then began knocking again but as the victim looked through the spyhole she noticed a third man at the top of the stairs of her council flat.

Officers say she then unlocked the door and he also ran from the house.

Following the incident the woman noticed that £300 had gone missing from her home.

Anyone with information on the incident, which happened at 11.35am on Wednesday, is asked to call Sgt James McCann at Bitterne police station on 0845 045 4545.