A WOMAN in her eighties has had her house burgled by two men pretending to be police officers. 

The men, believed to be around 35 years old, broke into the elderly woman's house in Hailey Road, Witney on Thursday evening, police said.

When she confront them they held up what appeared to be ID cards and said they were police officers investigating a burglary.

The pair said they needed to check the woman's money before stealing cash and running away.

Thames Valley Police said the first man was white, 6 ft 3 ins tall with a pale and gaunt appearance with swept over hair.

The second offender was also white, 5 ft 9 ins tall and stocky with a pale complexion.

Police appealed for witnesses to come forward and also warned the public to be aware of distraction burglaries. 

Investigating officer Det Sgt Robert Hughes, from Witney Local CID, said: "Although on this occasion the offenders forced entry, some offenders use distraction techniques to gain entry to homes.

"Genuine police officers will not mind if you take the time to verify their identity before letting them in to your property.

"You can do this by requesting they show you their ID and by calling 101 to check. Do not call a number on the ID card as this may not be genuine."