A 100-year-old Pitsea woman was targeted by a conman who posed as an official to fleece her out of hundreds of pounds in her own home.

The smartly dressed man stole £500 of the elderly woman's savings when he told her he had come to check out her water supply.

The white man, aged about 25, said he was from the council when he called on the lady at her Riverview Court home in Pitsea.

Now detectives, who are particularly shocked by the brazen attack, have urged anyone with information to contact them about the theft.

The 5ft 7in man called at about 3.30pm yesterday and asked the lady turn on the taps in the kitchen while he searched her house.

After he had gone, she found her money was missing.

Det Con Derek Pattern, of Pitsea CID, said: "This is a particularly vicious and callous attack on a lovely woman, who all being well will live well into her second century.

"She was born in 1899 and she's still as fit as a fiddle."

"She's bearing up well after the incident, but time will tell how it affects her.

"She's determined to catch the man who did this."

Age Concern Basildon chairman David Downton has urged Basildon Council to produce leaflets warning elderly people of the risks of opening their home to strangers.

Mr Downton said: "This is absolutely dreadful. This sort of attack is going on all the time now and it is about time something was done.

"We are constantly trying to educate the elderly not to let anyone into their home and to check visitors are bona fide. The thing is, older people are forgetful and when people are nice to them they tend to let them into their lives.

"This is awful and totally unacceptable."

Police describe the man as stocky, with a fat, round face and blond hair. He wore a short-sleeved shirt, navy blue trousers and black shoes. He also spoke with an Irish accent.

Anyone with information should ring Det Con Derek Pattern at Pitsea CID on 01268 584212.

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