SHE may have noticed something fishy was going on but little did a pensioner know thieves had followed her home and stolen her chip supper.

SHE may have noticed something fishy was going on but little did a pensioner know thieves had followed her home and stolen her chip supper.

But the three thieves were left with salt-in-their-wounds when they decided to steal the 84-year-old's black bag - only to discover all that was inside were the two bags of chips.

It was as the woman was returning from shops near to her home in Reaburn Road, Ipswich, that she was approached by three men at 5.30pm on Saturday.

They told her they needed to go into her house to turn the water off and followed her into the property.

Once inside the men searched the house and stole a black canvas bag, clearly thinking it might contain something valuable. Instead it contained the two portions of chips - worth around £2.

But police have today said that while the offenders did not get away with anything of value cases such as these need to be stopped.

The first man was white, between 20 and 25-years-old, around 5ft 9in, with short ginger hair and was wearing a light coloured zip-up jacket.

The second man was white, between 20 and 25-years-old, 5ft 10in, with dark cropped hair and was wearing a dark jacket.

The third was white, between 20 and 25-years-old, 5ft 9in, with dark slicked back hair and was wearing a blue jacket and black trousers.

Ipswich police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen three people fitting that description in the area.

Anyone with information should call Pc Becky Last at Ipswich CID on 01473 613500.

Were you the lady who had her chips stolen? Have you been the victim of a distraction burglary? Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.

Suffolk Constabulary offers the following steps to prevent distraction burglars -

Lock - Is your back door locked? Always check it is as soon as someone knocks at your door or rings your bell. Bogus callers often have an accomplice who may try to enter

your home by the back door whilst you are distracted.

Stop - Do not open the door until you have looked through a window or used a door viewer to see who is on your doorstep. Remember, you do not have to open your door to anyone, especially someone you are not expecting or do not know.

If the caller looks suspicious in any way or you are frightened, do not open the door and call 999.

Chain - If you feel that you need to speak to the caller, use a door-chain.

Check - Check their identity. If they say they are from a water, gas or electricity company they will have photo I.D. If they cannot produce a bone fide I.D. card, send them away and close the door.

SOURCE: Suffolk Constabulary