Police are appealing for witnesses after an attempted distraction burglary in Sutton Courtenay today.

A man claiming to be from the electricity board knocked on the door of an 88-year-old woman in Milton Road at noon today and said he was there to read the meter. Producing ID that the woman could not read, he entered the house and said that she had overpaid her electricity bill and was entitled to a refund.

He produced two £50 notes from his wallet and asked if the woman had any change. Thinking this to be very strange behaviour, the woman refused and asked the man to leave, which he did.

PC Ben Wilson said: “This man has tried to target a particularly vulnerable and elderly member of the community. Thankfully in this case, the woman was vigilant and though his behaviour suspicious.

“She did the right thing by asking him to leave and calling the police.

“The man is described as white, approximately 5ft 3in tall and aged between 50 and 60. He had a large build, bad teeth and grey hair and was wearing a navy-blue jacket and dark trousers.”

If you have any information about this incident, please call the 24-hour non-emergency number, 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.