Bogus caller’s ‘despicable crime’ against Littlehampton OAP

The man visited the woman’s home in Derwent Close towards the end of Wednesday morning (February 9) and persuaded her that she needed work done in her garden.

He is thought to have then taken her to her bank in Rustington, where she withdrew the money. The woman, in her late 70s, is extremely vulnerable and is unable to remember the whole incident.

Police want to trace a man who was seen calling at the house at around 10.30am. He is described as white, about 40, 5ft 7inch tall, of stocky build with a jaundice colouring to his face and wearing a dark blue jacket and, possibly, black jeans.

Officers believe the incident may be linked to similar ones in Bognor Regis and Worthing on the same day.

Det Sgt Vicky Guy, of Arun CID, said: “This is a particularly despicable crime where the lady has been clearly targeted because of her vulnerability. We know that she withdrew the money from the Rustington branch of HSBC a few minutes before noon, so it’s possible that someone may have seen her and the suspect in the area around that time.”

Anyone with information about the crime should contact 0845 60 70 999.