POLICE are warning elderly people in the Belbroughton area to be vigilant after a woman’s handbag was stolen from her home while she was distracted.

The elderly lady opened the door at 1pm yesterday (Monday September 29) to a woman who said she was collecting for Children in Need.

She went upstairs to fetch clothing to donate - but when she came back, the woman at the door had disappeared...along with the elderly lady’s brown leather handbag containing cash and bank cards.

The offender was a woman in her 50s - with olive skin, five foot six, of medium build, with straight shoulder length blonde hair that looked like it had been dyed.

She wore black open-toed sandals, black trousers and possibly a light-coloured top. She was also thought to be wearing earrings.

Detective Constable Brian Mortelmans saIid: ”We are appealing to anyone who saw a woman matching this description in the Belbroughton area on Monday to give us a call.

“Equally, if this woman called at your door claiming to be collecting for Children in Need, we’d like to hear from you.

“We are also extremely keen to highlight this crime to elderly or vulnerable groups and would urge anyone with elderly neighbours or family members to discuss this incident with them.”

He urged families to remind elderly people to double check the identity of unexpected callers at the door and not to let anyone in unless they are completely confident they are genuine.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact DC Mortelmans at Bromsgrove CID on 08457 444 888 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.