AN ELDERLY couple were victims of a bogus council worker who swiped their valuables after tricking his way into their home.

Sandra and Reg Laming, aged 62 and 73, had a handbag and wallet stolen from their home in of Hawthorne Road, Walthamstow, by a thief claiming he was from social services and was carrying out a review of the disability support in their home.

Mrs Laming, who is registered disabled, said: “He obviously targeted the disabled because of what he told us. I had previously had hand rails put in by social services so I had no reason to suspect otherwise. I even made him a cup of tea.

“To target senior citizens when we haven't got anything - especially before Christmas - it has made me very angry and think, what a wicked world we live in.”

Mr and Mrs Laming said they had returned home from visiting her mother's grave yesterday afternoon at about 2pm, when the door bell rang.

The man at the door was dressed in an orange fluorescent jacket and carrying a mobile phone and a pamphlet. He was also wearing an identification card around his neck but the couple did not check it because they assumed he was genuine.

After claiming he was from social services, he got the couple to show him around the house and said he was going to replace the handrails in the bathroom.

He asked Mrs Laming to stay in the bathroom while he showed her husband something in the garden. But while the couple were distracted, he went into the living room and took their belongings and fled.

He took with him £150 of cash and shopping vouchers, Mrs Laming's senior citizen bus pass and bank card, her husband's driving licence and the keys for their house, forcing them to have all the locks changed.

Mrs Laming said: “I want all senior citizens of this borough to be aware. I am no fool and nor is my husband. But it all happened very quickly.”

The suspect is described as a white man aged between 25 and 30. He is of stocky build, about 6ft, with black curly hair and was wearing an orange high visibility jacket.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about this crime to contact DC Ian Harrison, Chingford CID on 8345 3117, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

As part of Operation Bumblebee to tackle burglaries, the Met Police has issued advice to ensure people are not fooled by bogus callers.

This includes using a chain and spy hole before opening the door and checking proof of identity carefully.

For more advice, visit: www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/bogus