KENT Police have released an e-fit of a man thought to have conned £150 from a 94-year-old pensioner and may have tried to con two other elderly women.

The trickster called at the home of an 83-year-old woman in the east side of St Mary’s Bay, Dymchurch, at about 11.30am on Thursday, February 22 and offered to fit a trellis to her garden fence for £150.

He left when the woman explained she was not interested. Half an hour later, and less than a mile away, a man called at the home of the 94-year-old woman in Orgarswick Avenue, Dymchurch.

He said he was clearing rubbish from the canal at the back of her house, and wanted £350. The woman explained she did not have that much cash, but he took £150 from her and was not seen again.

At around 12.30pm the same day, a man called at the home of an 80-year-old woman in Court-at-Street, just north of Dymchurch. He knocked on a window and asked if she had change for a £20 note. He then entered her home and engaged her in conversation, but the woman didn't have any change and he left.

Kent Police believe these incidents could be related and would like the public’s help to trace the offender.

A police spokesman said: "We would also like to make other residents aware that bogus callers do sometimes try and con people out of money, or make excuses to enter people’s homes to steal money and valuables."

Det Sgt Steve Chapman stressed: “Relatives, friends and neighbours can help by becoming a nominated neighbour.

"It is a simple scheme whereby an elderly person can direct the caller to contact another person, or arrange for the caller to come back when their nominated neighbour is with them.”

He added: "This type of crime is something that can be prevented by communities working to help the elderly in their area, and by giving them the confidence to say no and not let callers into their homes without satisfactory ID, or to ask callers to return when a nominated neighbour with them.”

The nominated neighbour scheme is run by Neighbourhood Watch, Further details are available from 01233 896126.