A DISTRACTION burglar posed as a meter reader to steal cash from an elderly woman.

The thief called at a house in Hillsfield, Upton upon Severn, at about 5.20pm on Thursday, June 14, and asked the elderly resident if he could read the water meter.

He then stole cash from a purse inside a handbag in the victim's sitting room. The offender is described as a white male aged between 20 and 35.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101, quoting incident number 0587s/140618.