AN elderly man was tricked into paying for work he never had done and had a purse stolen from his home by a distraction burglar on Saturday.

Police have released an e-fit of the man who approached the elderly man on Totteridge Road, High Wycombe at 12pm.

He spoke to him about a shower that had recently been fitted. The elderly man did not remember this but assumed he was correct.

The victim was then followed to his home and the offender said he would check the shower was still working. During this conversation he charged the elderly man for work that never took place and also stole a purse from the bedroom.

He is described as white, aged between 35 and 40-years-old, around 5ft 7ins and of medium build. He was wearing a green fleece, jeans and a woolly beanie hat. He also had gold teeth.

Det Con Ami Chapple from High Wycombe police station said: “I would like to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area, or if you saw a man fitting the above description, as any information will be useful in our investigation.”

If you have any information please contact Det Con Chapple via the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don't want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.