POLICE are appealing for witnesses after an 86-year-old man had £350 in cash stolen from him shortly after he left a bank.

The victim had just withdrawn the money from the bank in High Street, Sittingbourne, on Friday, November 23.

He put the money in a carrier bag and began walking home. In Fairview Road, he decided to have a rest on a bench at around 3.40pm.

A short time later he was approached by a young man, thought to be aged 19 or 20, who began chatting to him.

The pensioner then decided to carry on walking home and the young man said he would join him.

As they approached an alleyway leading to Chiltern Avenue, the young man asked the pensioner what he had been doing in town. When the victim replied that he had been to the bank, the man grabbed the carrier bag and ran off towards Bell Road.

The thief is described is around 5ft 10in tall, of medium build with a deep voice and southern accent. He was wearing dark coloured clothes.

Sgt Darren Ryder, of the Sittingbourne Neighbourhood Team, said: “This man took advantage of the kind nature of an elderly gentleman with only one thing in mind – to steal from him.

"We believe he was probably following him from the bank and was waiting for an opportunity to strike. I am totally disgusted by the offender's behaviour and the police will do everything they can to catch him."

Anyone who was in Fairview Road, Chiltern Avenue or Bell Road at the time of the crime is urged to contact police on 01795 419182 or call Kent Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555111.