TWO young thieves preyed on a woman's kindness to trick their way into her home and steal her purse.

One of the thieves had an elastic bandage on his right ankle so police feel sure someone must know who is. The boy was in his mid teens.

He and another boy, aged 10 or 11, called at the 85-year-old victim's home on Lightcliffe Road, Crosland Moor, at 2.15pm on Friday.

They claimed they were collecting jumble for a local church sale.

She noticed the boy's bandage, told him he should not be out and about if he was in pain and let them in.

But when she went to find something for the sale, they stole the purse containing £40 from her handbag and fled.

The older boy was 5ft 2in and very slim with short, neatly-cut blond hair and a pale complexion. He wore a short-sleeved T-shirt with narrow horizontal stripes.

The younger boy was white, about 5ft and plump with short brown hair.

Contact Pc Gerry Lenihan on 01484 436664.