A MAN posing as a landscaper gardener has stolen money from a Hampshire pensioner.

Police say the conman knocked on the door of a house belonging to an elderly woman in Ashurst and asked for cash.

He has then made his way into the property and took money from her purse as well as demanding a blank cheque. We think that he may have been driving a white Ford Transit.

PC Chris Orr said: “This is a particularly heinous burglary crime against a vulnerable lady.”

Police are anxious to hear from anyone who was in the Lyndhurst Road area of Ashurst on Wednesday and saw someone driving a white Ford Transit van.

PC Orr said: “We are working hard to reassure the local community and remind residents to be vigilant when approached by cold callers. In the mean time, we would like to encourage the local community to be alert but not alarmed. Think twice about who you open the door to, check ID and report anything suspicious to 101.”

The man is described as white, aged 30-35, 5ft 10in, large build with short, light-coloured hair. He was wearing dark-coloured trousers and a black zip-up jacket.