BELIEVING there were squirrels in her roof an elderly woman let a stranger into her home who claimed he could fix the problem, only for him to make off with £1,000 in cash.

The 82-year-old from Greenmeadow answered her door on Wednesday to find a man on the doorstep with a piece of roof in his hand who claimed it had fallen off her house and he could fix it.

He said there must be squirrels nesting in the loft, and that he could set traps for her to catch them. 

She gave him £300 to do the work. He then took her into the back garden as he said he wanted to show her the squirrel holes, but he left her out there and rushed back inside without her and stole £1000 of cash which was also in the house, and then left the property.

The man is described as being very tall, white with tanned skin, dark hair and facial stubble. 
He wore a black cap, dark coloured hoodie and black jeans. He didn’t appear to have a vehicle with him and brought no tools with him.

PCSO Billy Corpe, of North Swindon Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "This is a callous crime carried out on a vulnerable trusting person who thought she was being offered assistance."

Wiltshire Police are supporting the victim and her neighbours are rallying around to help. 
PCSO Corpe also issued safety advice to people following the incident.

He said: "If you have elderly relatives or neighbours please remind them not to let anyone into the house, or accept offers of help from strangers.

"It is also important they do not keep large amounts of money in their homes, and that any cash or valuables are kept in a secure location like a safe or locked box hidden from view."