Police want to speak to two people captured on CCTV after the ‘shameful and appalling’ distraction burglary in Brierfield, Lancs, in which a dying woman’s purse and phone were stolen

An elderly woman who was dying in bed had her mobile phone and purse stolen in a distraction burglary, police said.

The theft took place on October 16 at about 3am in Brierfield, Lancs, when the woman’s husband went into the street to get help.

Police say a man and woman are believed to have entered the property and offered to call an ambulance, while the man, who is in his 80s, went upstairs to sit with his wife, who sadly died later that day.

It was later discovered that a purse and a mobile phone, belonging to the deceased woman, were missing and later reported stolen.

Police now want to speak to two people captured on CCTV in relation to the incident.