'Cat injury' ploy as man, 90, falls victim to distraction burglar near Telford

A man in his 40s knocked on the victim's door in Heath Lane, Ellerdine, claiming he'd just hit a cat, which had then run into the man's garden.

The victim helped to look for it but when he returned found that his wallet had been taken from his house.

The burglar had dark trousers and a dark jumper which had a motif on the left hand side. He had short cropped dark hair that was going grey.

He was driving a small white van and is believed to have had a North Staffordshire accent.

Residents were warned to keep doors locked after the burglary.

Councillor Stephen Bentley, of the Edgmond and Ercall Magna ward, said that the incident, which happened on Halloween, had been "disturbing".

"It is important that people get into the habit of locking doors even when they are in the house, and be careful when strangers visit for any reason – don’t trust them," he said.

In a secondary incident, believed to be linked, a woman in her 80s found an unknown man in her home. She later realised her purse had gone.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Taylor of Telford CID said, "We'd like to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious behaviour or activity in the area at the time. I'm also asking local communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.

"When leaving your property for any reason, whether it is going into the garden or talking to a neighbour within the area, residents are advised to ensure all windows and doors are locked, to prevent opportunist thieves entering the property."

Anyone with information should call police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org