Thief sat at pensioner's table before stealing cash and handbag

The incident happened at around 11.10am on Saturday at a property on Beach Road, Fleetwood.

The man, who was alone, walked into the 85-year-old woman’s home.

When confronted by the wheelchair-bound pensioner he said he was waiting for his mother and entered the lounge and sat down by a table at the window.

He then stood back up and opened several drawers before making off from the address with a black leather purse containing around £10, a black wallet containing around £50 and a black handbag containing two pairs of glasses.

The man used a red flannel or tea towel, which he had brought with him to the address, to open the drawers.

The offender is described as a white male, aged around 19 or 20, tall and of slim build, with short dark-coloured hair and a local accent. He was wearing a light grey fleece-style top with a white zip and possibly grey trousers or jogging bottoms.

DC Martyn Leigh, of Blackpool Police, said: “This is a despicable crime committed against someone who is clearly vulnerable.

“We are determined to find the offender and bring him to justice and we would urge anybody with information about the incident to contact us.

“Maybe you recognise the description, saw someone leaving the address or saw someone in the vicinity, possibly carrying a red towel. If you have any information – however small – please do not hesitate to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101, quoting crime reference WD1604785.