DETECTIVES have issued a warning after a bogus caller stole money from an elderly woman's home.

The theft occurred in Bethersden Road, Smarden, near Ashford, on the afternoon of February 22.

The 82-year-old victim was in her lounge, when a man knocked on her window. She did not know the man, but he said he had come to visit her, and asked for a drink.

The woman went to the kitchen to get him one. It was while he was alone in the sitting room that he took a quantity of cash out of her handbag.

The woman asked the intruder to leave, which he did. Later she realised that her handbag had been searched and discovered the theft.

The thief is described as white, aged between 45-50, about 6ft tall, of medium build with short grey hair and stubble.

He was wearing a dark coloured hat, possibly woollen, a navy blue zip up jacket, dark coloured bottoms and white trainers. He spoke with a southern accent.

Det Sgt Mark Buck, of Ashford Police said: "Often the victims of this type of crime are too trusting and accommodating, and think it is impolite to demand identification from callers. 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 stressed: “This type of crime is something that can be prevented by communities working to help the elderly by giving them the confidence to say no.

"They should also tell them never to let callers into their homes without satisfactory ID. Also callers should be asked to return when a nominated neighbour is with them.”

The nominated neighbour scheme is run by Neighbourhood Watch, and has been launched by Ashford Borough Safety Partnership to reduce so called ‘distraction’ burglary. For information on the nominated Neighbour Scheme contact Neighbourhood Watch on 01233 896126.