POLICE have hit out at crooks who posed as security men before stealing hundreds of pounds from an elderly woman.

The two men approached the pensioner at her Blakelock Road home, in Hartlepool, and said they wanted to fit security cameras on the outside of homes to monitor trouble in the streets.

When the men left the woman realised a substantial amount of money had been taken.

The first man was described as 5ft 6in, stockily built with black hair. He was wearing a blue leather jacket.

The second man was also stockily built and was wearing a white jacket and brown trousers. They both had Scottish accents.

Anyone with information should call Hartlepool police on (01642) 302129.