Police are urging householders in Ongar and North Weald to be on the lookout for conmen posing as workmen or water board officials.

The warning from Sgt John Cousins of Epping Police follows an incident in Longfields in Ongar in which a conman called at the house of an 87-year-old man.

Falsely claiming to have done repair work to the roof tiles of the house, he demanded payment before following his victim into the house. Once inside, he looked around before taking £20 in cash.

Issuing a description of the suspect, Sgt Cousins said that the man was said to be white, of slim build, and approximately 30 years of age. He was also described as being 6ft in height, with short curly hair.

Said Sgt Cousins: "People should beware of this sort of crime. We have had quite a lot of these sort of burglaries in the area.

"Usually some kind of con-trick, falsehood or distracting tactic is used to gain entry into people's homes. A common tactic is to pose as a water or electricity board official."

Anyone with information relating to the incident in Longfields, or similar incidents, is asked to contact Epping Police on 01992 561212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.