October 17 2011.


Detectives investigating an East Sussex case in which an elderly resident had cash stolen by a bogus 'Water Board' caller have today released an Efit of the suspect.

At about 4pm on Tuesday 11 October a man called at a house in Beauford Road, Horam, near Heathfield, and told the 84-year old man living there that he had come to do routine checks on water. He went round the house and left, and the resident subsequently found that some £600 cash had been taken. The crime was reported to police on the following day.

The suspect is described as white, about 5'4", in his mid-twenties, of slim build and with dark brown hair. He was smartly dressed in a black suit and shoes, and had a badge saying 'Water' around his neck.

Detective Constable Matt Wilson of the East Sussex Priority Crime Team said; "If you think you know who man this might be please contact us via 0845 60 70 999 quoting serial 0549 of 12 October. We remind residents not to let anyone into your property unless you are absolutely satsified that they they have a legitimate reason for being there. Genuine callers from public utilities will usually call by appointment and even when they don't will carry full ID with phone numbers on, through which you can check that they are genuine. If in doubt, keep them out."

This crime wasn't actually in the Haven area, but Horam isn't so far for lowlife to crawl...