A BOGUS caller stole £1,000 from an elderly man in Warminster after claiming he was from the water board.

Two wallets and bank cards were stolen when a man visited a home in St George's Close between 4pm and 5pm on April 7.

The man knocked on the door saying he wanted to check the stopcock and used taps in the kitchen before moving to the living room.

A police spokesman said: "The next day, two wallets were found to be missing from the house, one containing £1,000 cash and the other containing two bank cards.

"The man is described as European, dark-skinned, aged mid-40s, with a thick build and around 5ft 7in tall. He spoke poor English and wore a well-fitting smart dark suit.

"No identification was offered or requested and people are reminded to take extra caution when unknown and unexpected visitors call."

Anyone with information on the theft should contact PC Tim Robinson at Warminster Police.

Avon and Somerset Police are also issuing warnings concerning bogus callers after a spate of distraction burglaries of a similar nature in the Bridgwater and Taunton areas.