Police warning following distraction burglary

Money was stolen from an elderly woman in Wickham in a distraction burglary earlier this week

PEOPLE are being asked to look out for vulnerable members of their community after an elderly woman in Wickham was the victim of a distraction burglary.

At around 12.30pm on March 29 a male called at the home of the 69-year-old woman claiming to be from the electricity board.

He stated that she had been over charged on her bill and he had come to give her a refund but he only had two £50 notes with him. He then asked if she had some change.

She went into her living room to fetch cash from her cash tin.

The male then managed to distract the woman by asking her to leave the cash on a chair in the living room and go with him to the kitchen where he said he had to go outside and check the electricity meter.

The woman became suspicious of the male and returned to the living room where she saw through the window the male leaving property with the cash tin.

He is thought to have driven off in a black car which had possibly been parked in Mant Close.

The males is described as white, in his 40's, around 5ft 6' with dark hair, a moustache and wearing a dark suit

Anyone with information should contact the police on 0845 8 505 505 and quote crime reference number 526.