The belongings of an elderly dying woman were stolen as she laid in bed at home.
A CCTV appeal is underway after the incident which happened at around 3am on Friday, October 16, at an address on Walter Street, Brierfield, in Lancashire.
The elderly woman's husband had gone out into the street to try and get help for his wife, Lancs Live reports.
A man and woman then reportedly went inside their home and offered to phone an ambulance, while the man - aged in his 80s - went upstairs to sit with his wife.
She sadly died later that day.
Following the incident, a purse and mobile phone belonging to the deceased woman were found to be missing.
They were later reported as stolen.
Detectives at Lancashire Police have now released CCTV footage of a man and woman they want to speak to in connection with the 'shameful and appalling' incident.
PC Rob Bayley of Lancashire Police said: “To commit a crime like this on an elderly and vulnerable man in his hour of need is shameful and appalling and we are committed to finding those responsible.
"The male victim believed the offenders, who were passers-by, were helping him by ringing for an ambulance while he went back upstairs to sit by the bedside of his dying wife.
“But it has later transpired that they had in fact helped themselves to a purse, which was on a table in the front room and a mobile phone from inside a handbag, which was down the side of a chair.
“I would ask anyone who saw these individuals around the time of the incident or anyone who think they might recognise them to please get in touch with any information they think would be useful.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lancashire Police on 101 quoting log number 0633 of October 17th.
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