Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses after bogus callers targeted a 90-year-old resident in Clermiston.

The incident happened on Friday 2nd September around 12.30 pm in Clermiston Crescent.

A man turned up at her door saying he needed to check her water. While he was distracting her by running her tap in the kitchen, two other men gained access and stole a five-figure sum of cash.

Officers are now keen to speak to anyone who recognises the description of the men, who was in the area at the time or who saw anything unusual in the area.

The first suspect is described as white, 5 ft 6 inches tall, clean-shaven, wearing long-sleeved dark clothing and a dark tweed flat cap. He spoke with a non-local accent, possibly foreign.

The second man was around 20 years old; the third was aged between 40 and 50 years old. Both were wearing dark clothing.

Detective Constable James Philp of Gayfield CID said: “These unscrupulous individuals have targeted an elderly member of the community, masquerading as workmen and stealing her life savings.

“The local primary school was coming out for lunch at the time and we are keen to speak to any parents who may have seen these men or who saw anything suspicious in the area.”

Anyone with information that can assist officers with the investigation is asked to contact them on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.