AN elderly couple had their winter fuel allowance stolen after a man pretending to be a police officer tricked his way into their home.

The 86-year-old husband and wife let him into their Garston home after he flashed an identification card.

He knocked on their door on Thursday, December 6, and said he was checking security. They had previously been victims of a bogus caller and thought it was an officer checking up on them.

The man, who was six feet tall with dark hair and a dark complexion, asked if they had any money in the house.

They had just collected their £200 fuel allowance which they put it in a envelope for him. The old lady, who had recently suffered a stroke, also gave him about £30 from her purse.

He told them it would be best to put the money in the cupboard under the stairs and pretended to hide the cash.

When he left the couple he took the envelope.

A friend of the family, Mrs Rita Andrews, said: "This is the lowest of the low so near to Christmas.

"I hope they get drunk on the money and fall in the road."

Crime Prevention Officer Michael Powell said the crime was "absolutely horrendous". He said people should always be wary of cold callers and if in doubt not let them in.

He said: "We ask people to check identity cards. Find out where they are from, look up a number in the phone book and call to check they are genuine."

Phone numbers should not be taken from cards because they too will be fake.

Mr Powell said: "A genuine person will always be happy to wait."

He said if there was any doubt, a 999 call could be made.

He said there had been an increase in distraction burglaries and that police were working hard on a prevention programme.

December 12, 2001 18:30