A TEENAGE conman persuaded an elderly Bewdley woman to give him £10 towards a sponsored walk - and then returned the next day to steal £50 from her while she made him a cup of tea.

The thief had called at the house in Lingfield Road last Saturday and asked the woman, in her 80s, to sponsor him for a walk taking place the next day.

The youngster, aged 16-17, returned to tell her how he had got on - and while she went to make him a cuppa he stole £50 from her handbag.

"The woman challenged him and he left," said PC Andy Hill. "It was a particularly mean crime because he brazenly targeted a kindly lady."

The thief was wearing a silver grey hooded top and dark trousers. He was about 5ft 10ins, slim, with short dark hair.

The incident was the latest in a spate of opportunist "bogus caller" crimes, targeting elderly people in the district.

Police urged people to reinforce the message to vulnerable relatives that uninvited doorstep callers should not be allowed in.

In a separate incident a woman in her early 80s was robbed of her purse as she walked along Poplar Road, Kidderminster.

The victim was approached by a man from behind who put his arm around her, said "alright, luv" and grabbed her purse containing £40 before running off.

The woman sustained a minor injury to her hand but did not need medical treatment.

A man has been arrested and released on police bail in connection with the incident.

Anyone with information about either incident can contact Kidderminster Police on 01562 820888.