A trio of burglars distracted an elderly woman in order to steal £100 from her purse yesterday.

A 10-year-old boy knocked on the victim’s door, in Robinhood Lane, Mitcham, at 8pm - while his accomplices, aged 20 and 50, broke in and searched the house.

A Merton police spokesperson said: "The 10-year-old knocked on the door and asked to get his ball back. Whilst looking in the garden the other two entered and searched the house.

"This type of crime is despicable and we want to arrest them."

The 10-year-old boy is described as having short, dark hair, the 20-year-old man was 6ft tall and the 50-year-old man is 5ft 5in.

Police said there have been five burglaries and two attempted burglaries since yesterday and are warning residents to remain vigilant.

A similar incident in Richmond Road, Raynes Park, at 8.40pm yesterday - a 14-year-old boy told an elderly woman saying he had lost something in her garden.

She later found a 37-year-old man in her home, who demanded money - when she refused, the pair left.

If you saw anything suspicious, call Merton police on 101.