Elderly Hove woman thwarts doorstep conman

An elderly woman managed to thwart a distraction burglar at her home in Hove.

The man called at the 79-year-old woman’s home in Ashlings Way, Hangleton, at 10.30am on Thursday (12 September).

He told her that there was a pigeon on her roof and a water leak. He went inside and led her upstairs to point out some water on the wall and said that it was a leak and he could fix for her.

She went to get some money for him but then became suspicious of him and said she was going to ring her daughter. He then left the house without taking anything.

The man was described as white, aged in his late forties, with a large stomach and brown and grey receding hair and a long-sleeved dark coloured jumper.

Detective Sergeant Kate Witt said: “We are appealing for witnesses to come forward if they saw this man hanging around or leaving the address.

“Fortunately the victim did became suspicious of him and he left. She was shaken by the incident.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101 or email contact.centre@sussex.pnn.police.uk.