Woman targeted by bogus caller

Police in the east Durham area are trying to trace a conman who talked his way into home of an elderly, disabled woman.

The 84-year-old, who is partially-sighted, noticed a man waving to her from outside the rear gate to her bungalow in Blackhall on Tuesday evening.

He told her he needed to use the phone has his car had been stolen.

On learning she did not have a phone, he went into the bedroom saying he wanted to write something.

When he left she noticed her handbag had been moved, but nothing had been taken.

He is described a 5 ft 10 ins to 6 ft tall, slim with short dark hair and had a pale complexion.

The man, who was in his 20s, was wearing a grey long sleeved jumper with an emblem on it, and blue trousers.