The 93-year-old who lives in Ferry Road, Barnes, allowed one of the youths into her flat after he claimed he needed to test her water supply.

While she was distracted his accomplice entered the property and started to search cupboards in the lounge. The pair fled empty handed after the incident at 3.15pm on Saturday.

They are both described as white, between 16 and 17 years old and spoke with Irish accents. The first boy was wearing a red and white hooped T shirt. Information to 020 8247 5842.