Police are appealing for information after an attempted distraction burglary at the home of an 86-year-old woman in Eynsham.

A man called at the home of the woman in Spareacre Lane at 7.20pm on Friday and claimed to be from the Water Board.

The man said that he needed to come into her house to turn off the water, and the woman let him in and showed him to her kitchen. As she was talking with him, she noticed a second man had entered her home.

The woman shouted at the man and demanded to see some identification, which the man claimed was in their van. The woman said she would call the police unless she saw some identification and the two men left the house.

Det Sgt Dick White said: “I would like to hear from anyone who was in this area at the time of this incident who saw or heard anything.

“I would urge people to always ask to see identification before letting anyone into your home, and verify this with the firm or organisation they claim to be from.

“The woman was right to challenge these men when she became suspicious and thankfully was unharmed in the incident, with the thieves leaving empty-handed.

“Don’t make it easy for this type of criminal to get into your home.”

Anyone with information should contact Det Sgt Dick White via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 0845 8 505 505. Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.