[01 FEB 01] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Prowling Trickster Warning After Cash Theft

Police are warning people to be on their guard in the Coventry area after a man tricked his way into a woman's home.

The incident happened yesterday between 4.20pm and 5pm in Frevill Road in Bell Green.

A 44-year-old woman answered a knock at the front door to find a man claiming to be from the gas board.

He told the woman that he needed to check her central heating and he asked the her to stand by the boiler whilst he checked the radiators.

After a short while the man told the woman that the heating was fine. The woman later discovered that her purse was stolen which contained £28.

She claims to have seen the man pull a white baseball cap on after he left the woman's house and run away.

The offender is described as a white man aged in his 30's and about 6ft tall of slim build with short brown hair. He was clean shaven and had a scruffy appearance wearing a denim jacket and blue jeans, which had, white paint on the back.

A police spokesman said:

"We would urge people not to let anyone into their home unless they are certain of their identity. Genuine callers do not mind waiting while their identity is being verified. Remember - if in doubt keep them out."

Operation Liberate has been set up to deal with this type of crime, anyone with any information can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 in total confidence.

Anyone with information specific to this crime can call police at Stoney Stanton Rd on 02476 539020.