A GROUP of young raiders tricked their way into the home of a Hiltingbury pensioner and snatched a large sum of cash while her back was turned.

The 87-year-old woman is the latest elderly person in Hampshire to fall victim to distraction crime which triggered the Daily Echo's On Your Guard campaign advising people to be on the alert.

Eastleigh detectives are working on a theory that the pensioner, who had been shopping, might have been followed back to her Hiltingbury Road home.

The pensioner then became aware of two girls standing behind her as she opened her door.

They asked if they could borrow a piece of paper and a pen and virtually pushed their way inside.

The pair followed the victim into the kitchen where the elderly woman gave them the pen and paper.

One scribbled a note before making her way to the door with her accomplice without saying anything.

As they reached the door, two previously unseen men pushed past the woman and all four left the property.

The 87 year-old then discovered that her bag had been moved which contained the cash plus her bank cards which were also missing.

She described the males as white, about 5ft 5in to 5ft 6in and 17- to 18- years-old. One had a peculiar mouth and looked vacant while the other was wearing a baseball cap.

One of the girls was white, about 5ft 2in to 5ft 3in with shoulder-length mid brown hair. The second girl had darker skin with black shoulder length hair. Both were thought to be aged about 18.

Det Sgt Darren Rawlings said: "Elderly residents are particularly vulnerable to this sort of crime.

"It is paramount that they are vigilant and alert when answering callers and when entering or leaving their homes as well as being observant in noticing strangers in the neighbourhood."