‘AUDACIOUS’ burglars distracted an elderly man in his home before stealing a safe bolted to the floorboards.

The attack happened in Hyndburn Street, in Accrington, when the men walked in through the back door of the 80-year-old victim’s house, claiming they were checking residents’ water supply on November 19.

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The victim found one of the intruders half way up the staircase as he was descending at 11am.

He told him to check his bathroom taps were working properly because there had been a small explosion in the area.

As the victim and the man went downstairs, he found a second man standing in the back yard. He has asked the man inside the house to leave.

Minutes later, the victim’s front door opened and the first thief returned claiming that he still had various pipes to check.

Moments later the second man made his way up to one of the bedrooms and removed a metal safe containing a ‘significant amount’ cash, which had been bolted to the floor, before they both left.

A police investigation has been launched and officers are appealing for anyone with information about the burglary, which happened around 11am on November 19, to come forward.

PC Mark Nutter said: “The victim is understandably shaken, after this incident, particularly as these men have had the audacity to go into his home and literally lift the safe from the floorboards.

“I am asking anyone with any information at all about this despicable crime against a a vulnerable elderly man to get in contact with us.”

The men are described as white, mid to late 30s, between 5ft 9ins and 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build and both were wearing lumberjack-type jackets. One had short mousey coloured hair, was unshaven with dark facial hair and was wearing a blue and grey chequered lumberjack-type jacket and the other The second man was described as white, around 30, 5ft 9ins to 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build, with black wavy hair. He had dark stubble with a moustache and a red-faced complexion. Hwas wearing a blue and black coloured lumberjack-type jacket.

Call police on 101. quoting reference number 0467 of November 19 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.