Teen bogus caller sparks warning

A teenage girl who asked a retired woman for help but then stole her cash has sparked a police warning.

Officers said the girl, aged between 14 and 19, called at a house in Leysdown, Kent, on Thursday morning.

She tried to make a telephone call and asked for a drink of water before leaving. After she had gone the woman found £90 was missing from her purse.

Kent Police have warned people to check the identification of any callers and make people who need help wait outside.

Pc Jim Howe said: "Bogus callers are cowards and often prey on the elderly or vulnerable."

He said people should ensure their neighbours, friends and relatives were aware of "simple methods that may prevent them from being targeted by a thief".

"Simply looking out for one another can beat the burglar."

Police said the girl was white, about 5ft 6ins tall, slim with blonde shoulder-length hair in a pony tail, and smartly dressed, wearing a black jacket and black trousers.