Ruislip residents are raising £5,000 to return savings stolen from an elderly couple, after they were burgled by distraction theives.

The pensioners, who did not want to be named, were targeted on Tuesday, January 19 at the home they share with their son on Field End Road.

The couple are a 90-year-old woman and an 89-year-old man who served in the Second World War in the Royal Air Force.

The female victim said: “One man came to the door and another chap followed behind and went up the stairs, we never saw him.

“He went through everything and left a right old mess.

The burglars snatched in excess of £5,000 in cash from their bedroom, which the couple were saving up to carry out improvements on their home.

'Didn't realise how many good people there are'

After hearing the about the incident, residents belonging to the Crime Awareness Group for Ruislip and Eastcote , set up a crowdfunding page and have been donating money in a bid to pay back the elderly couple's losses.

When hearing of the gesture, the female victim said: “How kind they are. I didn't realise how many good people are about and I really feel quite small that they're doing all this for me.

“I really appreciate it very much.”

In just four hours, £680 was raised through the crime-fighting group, which was set up by Ruislip resident Alan Palmer.

He told getwestlondon : “What we need to do in the area is get to reach out to these people and stop them keeping cash in the building.

“It's another sad tale. This happened during the day, it's a beautiful house and they are a really lovely couple.

“The good that'll come out of it, is that the community will come together and we'll have another bumper collection for this.”

The Crime Awareness group previously raised over £6,000 in cash after WW2 veteran Lionel Lake was burgled in April 2015.

Mr Palmer has been trying to contact MPs as he'd like to see extra police resources on the ground.

He said: “We want local bobbies available on the ground, it's got to happen.

“It's an outrage - burglars are watching these houses and people have to start challenging them more.

“We need people in the local community to get to older people and tell them not to keep cash in the house.”

Hillingdon Burglary Squad are currently investigating the incident and lines of enquiry are being progressed.

Police advice: Don't let strangers in

Insp Rob Bryan, Inspector for Hillingdon North has issued advice in light of recent distraction burglaries, including an elderly Harefield couple who were held hostage in their home.

He said: “Distraction burglars will often work in groups of two or more and will case the neighbourhood for potential victims.

“The burglars will knock and claim to whoever answers that there is a problem with the roof or gutters - in other words they pass themselves off as looking for building work.

If they get a vulnerable or elderly victim, they will change tack, claiming a gas or water leak to gain entry.

They might flash some ID, but once in they will keep the householder busy whilst their accomplice burgles the house.”

Insp Bryan stressed that members of the public should never let anyone you don't know into your home.

He said: “Make them wait whilst you call your utility provider or a friend or neighbour.

“If the caller is genuine they won't mind. Don't call a number they give you. Close the door and ring the number on your bill.

“If they walk off, call police as they will likely move onto a neighbour.

“If someone suspicious calls and you feel they were casing the area, call police. Don't let anyone in your house until you have checked them out.”