AN ELDERLY man had his wallet containing £100 snatched when he answered a request from a doorstep caller to exchange pounds coins for a £10 note.

A girl, thought to be 15 or 16, grabbed the brown leather wallet from the 82-year-old and ran from his home at Warren Drive, Broadstairs, and along St Peter’s footpath.

Police say the teenager had earlier called at the pensioner’s home on Friday between 8.15pm and 8.30pm and invited him to sign a subscription form on a clipboard. He agreed and she returned ten minutes later when the theft took place.

A police spokeswoman said: “It is advisable to check the identification of anyone who calls at your home. Never leave them alone on the doorstep with your door open, and never carry a purse or wallet. Opportunist thieves will take any chance they can.”

Anyone with information on the theft at Broadstairs is asked to telephone Det Con Ray Butterwick on 01843 222024.