MEN posing as water officials robbed an elderly woman of jewellery worth £14,000.

At about 2pm on Thursday May 31 a pensioner in Chequers Road, Loughton, opened her front door to a man who said that he needed to check her water supply for blue dye that might be dangerous to her health.

He entered the house without showing any identification and told the woman to turn on her taps.

After a few minutes the woman grew concerned and went back to her front door, which was still open, and saw another man in her front garden.

She went upstairs and found that a large amount of jewellery had been stolen and as she returned downstairs to call the police she saw the two men walking away from her home.

The two burglars are described as white.

The man who was in the house was a fast-talker with an Irish accent, of medium build, aged in his early 40s, approximately 5ft 8ins tall, with a clean, fresh complexion.

He was wearing a white polo shirt, white flat cap and blue jeans.

His accomplice is only known to have been wearing a dark shirt and dark trousers.

Investigating officer DC Mandi Coltman said: "We would urge and remind all homeowners to refuse entry to any stranger turning up on their doorstep without appointment and to obtain valid identification from those who do so, purporting to be from a utility or sales company.

“If these people are who they say they are, then they will only be too happy and patient while you verify the details with their head office. We really want to catch these two men and recover the woman’s rings as they are of immense sentimental value to her, having been bought for her by her late husband.”

While officers were taking a statement from the victim, who is in her 80s, she started to suffer from chest pains and had to be taken to hospital where she was kept overnight.

It is believed that the illness was caused by the stress of the burglary.

Anyone with information in connection with this burglary is urged to contact detectives at Harlow police station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.