A WOMAN has warned urging homeowners to be on their guard after a girl thief walked into her home and stole a purse and a pension book.

The girl, in her early teens, climbed over the fence of Maureen Stevenson's home in Chilham Road, Morris Green. She then found a purse with £40 and a pension book.

She was seen by Miss Stevenson's 87-year-old father, Thomas, but told him she had been sent inside to get a tissue. It was after the girl left that they realised something was missing.

Miss Stevenson contacted the police, but they do not hold out any hope of catching the culprit.

She said: "I want to warn people to be on their guard because thieves are obviously preying on the vulnerable.

"This girl had the nerve to walk in our house during the day to steal. She took my purse and a pension book with around two weeks' worth left to claim, but we were very lucky she didn't take more." Police are investigating.