A kind-hearted woman was left to regret her attempts to help a youngster raise money for charity.
A teenager called at the 25-year-old woman's house, in Kent View Avenue, Leigh, and said he was doing a sponsored charity event.
The woman went to get him some money but when she returned to the front door the boy had gone and so had her £100 handbag.
A Southend police spokesman said: "People should always be aware when strangers come to the door, no matter who they say they are. Never leave valuables unattended when there is someone you don't know about."
The boy was aged 14-15, 5ft 5ins tall, skinny, with brown hair cut into a French crop. He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms, a white T-shirt and he had a speech impediment.
Published Friday November 1, 2002
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