Officers investigating a report of a distraction burglary in Poole are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

At around 3.15pm on Monday 4 March 2024 an elderly resident at an address in Macaulay Road in Broadstone answered a knock at the door and a woman who claimed to be selling hair products reportedly barged her way into the property before going into the living room.

The victim repeatedly told the woman she did not want to buy anything, and she eventually left the address.

It was only later that the victim discovered a purse containing £500 in cash had been taken from the property.

Police Constable Rachel Penhaligon, of Dorset Police, said: “We are doing everything we can to support the elderly victim and identify the woman involved.

“I would urge anyone who might have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area or been approached in similar circumstances, to please contact us.

“I would also ask anyone who might still have any available dashcam, home CCTV or doorbell camera footage from the area covering the relevant time frame to please check it for anything that might assist our investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240033428. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.