Bogus policeman cons OAP

A thief broke into a pensioner's home then pretended to be a police officer to steal his money.

Surrey Police said the conman forced open a double glazed window to gain entry to the house in London Road, Caterham, at about 2200 BST on Sunday.

He went into the 88-year-old man's room and told him he was a police officer and had just seen someone breaking in.

When the pensioner asked for identification the offender flashed a bit of paper at him and then asked him if his money was safe.

'Despicable crime'

The victim then showed him where his wallet and bag were and the thief stole cash from them.

Later the pensioner discovered how the thief had got into the house and that the downstairs of the property had been searched.

Detective Constable Dougie Fentiman, said: "This is a particularly despicable crime as the victim was conned into telling the thief where his money was because he thought he was telling a police officer."

Police are warning people to check identification carefully and never to tell people where money or valuables are kept.

The thief is described as being white, in his early 30s, 5ft 6in tall and of slim build.