AN ELDERLY Little Haywood resident had her handbag stolen after a woman tricked her way into her home by claiming to be selling items for the deaf.
The 74-year-old, who has not been named, discovered her bag was missing a few hours after the woman called at her High Chase Rise home.
The incident happened at around 12.30pm on April 2 and Staffordshire Police are now investigating.
A police spokeswoman said: “The woman claimed she was selling items for the deaf and flashed a yellow-coloured card in front of the woman. She then engaged the victim in conversation before trick- ing her way into the property by asking to use the toilet, after which she asked for a glass of water.
“The offender continued to engage the victim in conversa- tion until a man appeared at the front door and together they headed to a silver/grey coloured car parked in the road. A few hours later the woman discovered her hand- bag, and its contents, had been stolen.
“Although the handbag was later recovered in a hedge in Stowe Lane, Hixon, the woman’s cheque book, bank cards, a quantity of cash and a mobile phone are still out- standing. Officers want to speak to anyone with infor- mation, or who saw suspi- cious persons and/or vehicles in the area prior to the inci- dent.” The woman police want to trace is described as very well spoken, white with slightly olive skin, 5ft 5in, slim, and believed to be around 35 years old. She had dark wavy hair past her shoulders and she was wearing a beige-coloured top.
The man she was with was also white and aged in his 50s. Residents have also been urged to be on their guard against suspicious callers at their door. Relatives of elderly and vulnerable residents are also being encouraged to warn them against opening the door to such callers.
Anyone with information on last week’s incident should contact DC Paul Whitehouse at Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 561 of April 2 , or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
