POLICE are urging residents to be wary of doorstep callers after a woman in her 80s was targeted by a distraction burglar.

The man, described as white, rough looking, with mousey medium length hair knocked at the woman’s door in The Links, Flempton, around 7.20pm on Saturday.

He claimed to be a plumber saying there had been a flood at a neighbouring property and that he need to come in and check her water.

The man went to the woman’s kitchen saying he needed to run the taps.

The woman left him in the kitchen and waited.

A short time later she went to see what was happening and found the man had gone and that several rooms had been searched and several hundred pounds had been taken.

Police are appealing for anyone who man have seen the man, who was wearing a thick grey woolly top, to call DC Craig Brett at Bury St Edmunds CID on 01473 613500.

A spokeswoman for the police also reminded residents to be cautious when dealing with doorstep callers.

“Don’t let strangers into your home without proper identification and please call police immediately using 999 if you are suspicious,” she said.

“Genuine callers will be happy to wait while you check they are who they claim to be.”