THIS is a picture of the man who tricked his way into the home of a ‘vulnerable’ 84-year-old woman before stealing hundreds of pounds.

Detectives have warned elderly people to be on their guard following the ‘distraction burglary’ involving a bogus caller.

As reported by the Lancashire Telegraph last month, the elderly victim was conned by a man claiming to be a water engineer at her home in Langho.

Now police have released an evo-fit image of a man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

The conman told the victim he had been sent to check on people’s radiators and requested access to her house, telling her he had visited other houses in the area.

The woman allowed the man inside, where he proceeded to check the radiators and told her that they needed some work.

DC Jo Galeski said: “He said she needed to pay him £90 towards the cost of the repairs.

"However, the money would be refunded in two days, saying that he would return.

“The woman took the money out of her bag and gave it to the man, at which point he said he needed to go back to his boss.”

The man left the house taking her handbag containing two wallets with a total of £500 cash inside.

He is described as white, in his 40s, of broad build, with greying hair that came to just below his ear.

He spoke with a local accent and was wearing a dark- coloured, long-sleeved top, and dark trousers and dark shoes.

She said: “This man specifically targeted a vulnerable, elderly woman and we need to make sure he doesn’t strike again.

“I would appeal to anybody who recognises the man in the evo-fit to contact police.

“I am also keen to hear from anybody in the area who may have seen this man on the day in question.

“Finally, I would like to speak to anybody else who thinks they may have been targeted in the same way.”

The incident took place between 4.15pm and 4.30pm on August 21.

Anyone with any information is urged to call police on 08451 25 35 45, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.