Police today pleaded for residents to be on their guard against bogus callers after an elderly woman had her handbag stolen.

The pensioner, of Tilburg Road, Canvey, let a man into her home after he knocked on her door claiming he was looking for a kitten.

When the man left, the woman found her handbag, containing £100 in cash, her pension book, credit cards and cheque book, were gone.

The man was aged between 45 and 50, about 5ft 8ins tall, with short dark straight brown hair and a ruddy complexion. He was wearing dark clothing.

The incident took place at 6pm on Monday - call Det Con Darren Patterson, at Rayleigh police, on 01268 775533.

Published Wednesday, April 16, 2003

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