POLICE WARNING OVER DISTRACTION BURGLARS

Melton police said the incident took place between midday and 1pm on Monday after an elderly lady was visited by a man claiming to be selling something.

The man – who walked into the pensioner's home in Harby Lane after she left her front door open – went into her bedroom while she fetched one of her purses from the living room.

He returned with another purse and handed it to her. It was only after the man left that the occupant discovered about 60 had been stolen from her.

The man is described as a white male between 20 and 30-years-old.

He is 6ft tall with short, light brown, hair and is clean shaven with a thin build and a local accent. He was wearing a boiler suit.

Anyone with any information should contact Melton police on (0116) 222 2222 or contact Crimestoppers' free and anonymous hotline on 0800 555 111.

Inspector Rob Folwell, head of Melton police, said: "This is the type of offence which I find particularly heinous because it preys on the vulnerable and elderly."

He added that while there has been a recent spate of distraction burglaries around Melton, figures show a fall in the overall number of burglaries compared to last year.

He said: "From the period of April 1 to June last year there were 54 burglaries, compared with this year when there were 38."

Insp Folwell added that the detection rate for overall burglaries during the same period had increased on last year from seven per cent to 21 per cent.

He said that Melton police are carrying out initiatives to increase people's awareness and safeguard against theft.