June 1, 2018 12.25 pm This story is over 68 months old

Elderly woman shoved to the ground by burglar

The man said he could sort out her drains

An elderly woman was pushed at a property in Skegness by a man claiming to be there to fix the drains before her purse was reportedly stolen.

The woman heard banging at her property in the Philip Grove area of the Lincolnshire town at around 3pm on Monday, May 28 and answered the door, opening it partially.

The offender, who had been bending down, then stood up and used one hand to push her over while using the other hand to open the door fully, police said.

After standing up, the woman then asked who he was and the offender said he could sort out drains, which she told him she did not need doing.

He then reportedly pretended that he was at the wrong address and left before the woman later noticed her purse had been stolen.

Police want people to be vigilant when dealing with cold callers and to always open the door with a latch on if possible, and always ask to see identification.

Lincolnshire Police want anyone who saw a white man dressed in black clothing acting suspiciously on a bicycle in the area around 3pm to contact them.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident number 229 of May 29 or via email at [email protected].

It can also be reported through the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online here.