THE heartbroken family of an elderly dying woman targeted by 'vile' thieves posing as nurses has branded the pair 'scum'.
The callous women claimed they were 'nurses' to trick their way into the Droitwich home of their 93-year-old victim who is almost blind, deaf and suffers from serious mobility issues.
They waited until the victim's daughter and son-in-law, themselves pensioners, were out food shopping before they carried out the sickening distraction burglary.
After they rang her doorbell, frail Margaret Price, who is receiving palliative care, struggled to reach the door only to find the women already inside the porch. When she answered, the pair claimed to be nurses from 'the practice'.
One thief distracted the victim by making small talk, picking up precious framed photos and telling her she had a 'lovely family', trying to keep up the conversation.
Meanwhile, the other thief went upstairs, ransacking bedrooms in the three-bedroom semi-detached house in St Nicholas Street, Droitwich on Tuesday.
When Mrs Price asked where the other woman was, she was told by the thief she was using the upstairs toilet as she had 'period problems'.
Even seasoned detectives have been shocked by the callousness of the distraction burglary, calling it 'despicable'. Senior officers at West Mercia Police have vowed to leave 'no stone unturned' in the hunt for those responsible.
The thieves helped themselves to irreplaceable jewellery of tremendous sentimental value to the family including necklaces, rings, watches and antique coins, some of which had belonged to late family members.
Ella Robinson, the great-granddaughter of the 93-year-old victim, said: "They're scum. They're disgusting people. My great gran is very shaken up. She is blaming herself because she let them in. We have tried to reassure her it is not her fault. The thieves knew exactly what they were doing.
"I don't think there are any words to describe people like that. They clearly have no morals whatsoever."
The 21-year-old mother-of-one, also from Droitwich, said the women even dressed in white clothes resembling nurse's tunics to make themselves look more convincing.
However, Miss Robinson said the family was relieved her great-grandmother was not hurt and that the thieves did not get into the safe.
"She can't see. She can't hear. She can't get up really. She is very immobile, extremely poorly and frail," she said.
The family returned home to find bedrooms turned upside down, leaving a 'complete mess'. Also living at the same address are the victim's 69-year-old daughter, Beryl Robinson and her husband, Daniel, 70.
Stolen from Mrs Robinson were three pearl necklaces (one rare with coloured stones), three Pandora bracelets all full with charms (one completely rose gold), a red ruby nine-carat gold cross, an assortment of rings and earrings, a necklace with a greenish coloured stone from the Caribbean, a gold ring given to her by her late father, a tin of £2 coins worth £200 and bottles of perfume (many already open) but including a new unopened small bottle of Chanel No 5.
Her husband, Daniel Robinson, 70, had his wedding ring stolen in the raid which is unique as it was almost cut in half in a work accident.
Stolen from Mrs Price was a series of antique coins, two watches belonging to her late husband and a few pairs of gold earrings.
DI Dave Knight said: "This is a fast-paced investigation and my aim is to identify and arrest these individuals at the earliest possible opportunity.
"I thank family members of the victim who have asked for information from the Community through the Facebook site Spotted Droitwich. We have already had calls from the public in response to the Facebook post with vital information.
"Please trust me when I say that we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to bring these offenders to justice. At this stage we do not believe that the offenders live locally."
DI Knight has also issued advice to people about checking the identity of anyone coming into an address and to put in place a plan with elderly loved ones, such as planning for them to call family or friends if they are unsure whether to let someone in.
Anyone with any further information on this crime should call 101 quoting incident reference 330 I 04102022.
Anyone that sees any suspicious activity taking place should call 999.
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