A CALDICOT house has been burgled by two men posing as gutter cleaners, prompting a crowd funding appeal aiming to raise £3,000.

The distraction burglary took place at an address on Lapwing Avenue in Caldicot at approximately 10.55am last Tuesday (29th November) when two men were said to have posed as tradespeople before making off with a large quantity of money from the safe in the rear of the elderly couple’s home.

A crowd funding page has now been set up, which hopes to raise £3,000 for the couple after their life savings were taken.

Hazel Walding said the incident had been “really upsetting” for her parents.

She told the Beacon that police believe their home could could have been identified as vulnerable due to the ramps outside their home. Her father is immobile after a stroke 37 years ago, and was diagnosed with vascular dementia three years ago.

“They’re taken every penny they own,” she said.

“They are absolutely distraught.”

She added that the police have been “marvellous,” and that CCTV cameras are to be installed free of charge.

A fundraising page has now been set up to raise money for the family in the run up to Christmas, with the hope that £3,000 can be raised. It is expected that the insurance will not cover the couple’s losses, so the page, set up by Hazel’s friend Jenna Hopkins, is aiming to raise as much money as possible.

A police spokesperson said: “Two unknown males in a white transit van knocked on the door carrying a long set of aluminium ladders.

“They then proceeded to offer to clear external guttering and moss from the roof at the address, in which the victims agreed.

“The two males started the work and then quickly made off, having stolen a large quantity of money from inside.”

The men were described as two white males, one aged in his late 20s to early 30s, of stocky build, approximately 5 foot 10 inches tall with dark short hair and wearing a dark zip up top. The other was of slim build, approximately 5 foot 6 inches tall, was aged between 20 and 25 years old with dark short hair and wearing dark clothing.

Anyone who has any information regarding this incident should call 101 quoting log number 126 29/11/16.