PERSHORE residents are being warned to be vigilant after an intruder targeted a pensioner's home.

The elderly woman discovered the man, described as tidy and reasonably clean looking, in the hallway of her house in the Besford Bridge area of the town. The incident happened at 2pm on Thursday, July 3.

The woman had left her front door open for several minutes following a friend's visit and shortly after heard a noise. She discover a man in her hallway who, when confronted, claimed he was looking for a dog.

The suspect ran off in an unknown direction when the woman said she was calling the police, and she heard a car driving off. The man was of very slim build with neatly cut short brown hair. He was wearing blue jeans and a white t-shirt and had no noticeable accent. Homeowners have been urged to keep their front door shut at all times to deter opportunist thieves. Police have also advised residents to be vigilant to any strangers or unusual cars in the area.