THIEVES made off with more than £1,000 after tricking an elderly woman into letting them into her Benfleet home.
The crooks had been carrying out repair work to the roof of the 96-year-old victim's home, when one of them said he desperately needed to use her bathroom.
But while upstairs in the house he went into her bedroom and stole two purses containing the cash.
* More in tomorrow's Echo
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article