POLICE have released a description of a man they want to speak to following a distraction burglary at an elderly woman’s home.

At about 11.20am on Sunday, December 15, a man called at the woman’s home in the Deanery Road area of Kingswood.

He told the victim, who is in her eighties, that he was from a gas company and wanted to check her meter reading.

He looked in a cupboard under the stairs, which was not where the meter is located, and after looking at his watch a few times, left empty-handed.

Investigating officer Det Con Andy Withey said: “Distraction burglars tend to prey on elderly and vulnerable people as they know it will be easier to carry out their crime.

“The offender is described by the victim as white, in his fifties, 5ft 5ins to 5ft 6ins, of round build and he was softly spoken. He was also wearing a hat.

“If you recognise him, or saw someone matching this description in the Deanery Road area of Kingswood on Sunday, December 15 please call us. We also want to speak to anyone in the area who had any similar visits around this time.”

Anyone who can help is asked to call the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.