An elderly Chichester resident has reported the theft of cash and cheques by a bogus caller.
A man claiming to be a telephone engineer called at a house occupied by an elderly woman in Canal Place, off Terminus Road, Chichester, between 11.15am and 12.30pm on Tuesday, October 30.
He said he had come to check the phone.
After he left it was discovered that £65 cash and two cheques had gone missing from the house. The cheques have now been cancelled.
Police are appealing for witnesses.
Detective Constable David Midgley, of West Sussex CID, said: “The man is described as being in his 40s, white, smartly dressed and was carrying a briefcase-sized bag. If you were in that area of Chichester during the day on Tuesday and saw anything that might help, please call us via 101 quoting serial 414 of 31/10.”
“If you get a cold caller at your address, always use the door chain and check any ID badge. If unsure, ring the company from a number using your phone book; a genuine caller will be happy to wait.”