POLICE are appealing for information for a distraction burglary in which an elderly resident had money snatched from his home. The thief was pretending to be from the gas board when he knocked on the 86-year-old s door in Bromley Street in Stepney on Thu

POLICE are appealing for information for a distraction burglary in which an elderly resident had money snatched from his home.

The thief was pretending to be from the gas board when he knocked on the 86-year-old's door in Bromley Street in Stepney on Thursday.

He barged into the house saying he wanted to read the meter and asked the victim to put the kettle on.

The intruder then left and it was not until the following day that the victim realised he had escaped with the cash.

The suspect is described as a white male, 5'7", slim to average build, short medium brown hair, clean shaven, wearing a dark waist length casual jacket.

Contact DC Justin Franklin in the Burglary Squad on 0208 217 4113 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.