A BOGUS caller stole £500 from a Newport pensioner's wardrobe after telling her he had come to check the taps.

Leah Jones, who is aged 77 and lives in a prefab on the Gaer while she waits to move into a new home, was expecting a call from someone to check the water so did not ask for identification when the bogus caller arrived at lunchtime on Friday.

She said: "It was so plausible because I was expecting someone. He was telling me I must move because it was dangerous for me and then he told me I'd be out in a week."

The latest distraction burglary comes as Welsh police joined forces to beat bogus callers.

Gwent and the three other forces decided to pool intelligence and share expertise following evidence that suggests distraction burglaries are carried out by organised gangs who seek out the vulnerable.

"He asked me to watch the cold water tap in the kitchen while he went to check the bathroom," Mrs Jones said.

"I thought I'd heard a tale like that before and I went and found him going through my wardrobe in the bedroom.

"I screeched: 'Out! Don't you touch my things'. But he picked up my tin with my savings and bank statements and all the things that are important to me.

"The money was for Christmas presents and for new clothes because I've lost so much weight. He pushed past me and I've got bruises coming out on my arms.

"The only thing I could grab was a plastic coat hanger and by the time I got out of the bedroom he'd gone.

"I stood outside and shouted for somebody to help me, but there's nobody around here."

Mrs Jones is waiting to move into one of the bungalows being built to replace the prefabs - but feels isolated as her neighbours have already moved and she is left on her own.

She said: "Since my husband died in May I've been completely isolated." Now she hopes others will learn from her ordeal.

"I never want anybody else to go through that experience. I want to tell people to be careful of young men coming to their home saying they're from the housing."

Mrs Jones' brother is currently staying with her because she is so upset. PC Debra White, of Newport central police, appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

The offender is described as white, in his late 20s, about 5ft 6in tall, with broad shoulders and a local accent.

He had short hair and was smartly dressed.

Phil Toms, director of Newport Housing Trust, said work replacing the prefabs on the Gaer was postponed until February but added: "We will move this lady as quickly as the programme can be progressed.

"We regret she has been preyed upon in this way.

"All we can do is advise residents, as we have done, to check identification. Nobody comes from the Trust without valid ID."

l Anyone with information should contact Newport CID on 01633 244999.