AN 88-year-old woman was the victim of a distraction burglary in Botley Road yesterday.

The incident happened between Duke Street and Riverside Road at about 5.15pm.

The victim answered her door to a man who said a young girl had broken one of her windows with a pellet.

She reluctantly let him into her back garden and home to search for the pellet, which he said had sentimental value to him.

The victim repeatedly asked the man to leave and when he finally did she saw another man coming out of her living room. Both then ran off along Harley Road.

The woman discovered her handbag, with cash and financial documents, had been stolen.

The first offender was described as white, in his 20s, 5ft 6ins, with a slim build and auburn hair.

He spoke with an accent and was wearing a blue and white striped T-shirt.

The second offender was a white man, who was younger than the other offender. He was wearing a blue T-shirt.

PC George Atkinson, from the Oxford Burglary Team, said: “This incident has understandably left the victim very shaken and upset.

“I am keen to speak to anyone who was in the area and noticed two men acting suspiciously before the incident, or running away from the area immediately afterwards.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0845 8 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.