Gold jewellery and cash was stolen from a home after a man posing as a police cadet talked his way inside.

Rings, bracelets and a purse containing cash and bank cards were taken during the burglary, which took place yesterday between 7.10pm and 7.20pm in Ashford.

The occupants were at home when they heard a noise at the front of their house in Star Road, Willesborough.

One of the victims went to investigate and found a man posing as a community police cadet on their doorstep.

The suspect claimed he had caught someone breaking into the house and asked to check the back of the house - walking straight through the hallway and out of the back door.

While she was distracted, police believe that a second man entered the property and stole the items.

The first suspect, a man in his 40s, had dark hair and stubble.

He walked with a slight stoop and was wearing grey jogging bottoms, a maroon-coloured hooded jacket with white stripes on the arms and dirty work boots.

Both men were described as white.

DC Goodban is urging people to be on their guard against distraction thieves, he said: "Pretending to be a community police cadet – something that doesn’t even exist in Kent – was a particularly cynical ruse.

"Fortunately the occupant became suspicious and told the suspect she was calling the police, which was enough to send him and his accomplice on their way.

"We would always advise people to check the ID of callers before they let them into their homes and to never be afraid to turn people away.

"If you are uncertain, ask them to come back when you have a friend or relative with you. Genuine callers will never mind.

"Ensure rear doors and windows are shut and locked when answering your front door and consider fitting extra security measures such as spy holes, door chains, door locks and intruder alarms."

Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting reference number 46/26236/18.