POLICE are hunting two men who tricked an elderly man into taking off his coat before making off with an envelope full of cash.

The elderly victim made a withdrawal over the counter at the branch of HSBC in Ilford High Street on May 6 at around 4pm.

He put the cash into an envelope which he tucked into a pocket in his overcoat. As he walked away from the bank, he was approached by two men, neither of whom spoke much English.

They pointed out to the victim that he had a mark on the back of his jacket and wanted to help him get it off. The man removed his jacket and the robbers rubbed off the mark – which was thought to be foundation make-up – before returning it to him.

The man later realised that the envelope had been taken. Police believe the man poured the make-up onto the man's jacket before speaking to him.

The robbers are described as around 50 years old and of Mediterranean appearance.

Anyone with information about the theft should contact DC Naomi Edwards on 020 8345 2612.