A MAN posing as a water board official stole a quantity of money after tricking his way into the home of a 70-year-old Crabbs Cross woman.

Police are investigating the theft, which happened at about 3.30pm on Saturday, August 26.

The caller claimed he was from the water board and showed the victim a card before stating there was a problem with the water.

The man asked the victim if he could turn the water off and they both went into the kitchen to switch the stop tap off.

The man then asked the woman to hold the stop tap so he could flush the toilet.

The victim noticed money was missing after the man had left.

Pc Brian Davies said: "I would like to hear from anyone in the area who may have had a strange caller to their house or seen the male hanging around the area."

The man was described as white, 25-30-years-old, with dark brown hair which was short and stuck up.

He was wearing a blue fleece and dark trousers.

Anyone with information can call Redditch police on 584888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.