Police have issued an artist's impression of man they believe tricked his way into an elderly woman's home to steal her purse.
The man called at the woman's home in Mundella Street, off London Road, Stoneygate, Leicestershire shortly before midday on Saturday.(May 18)
He said he was decorating in the area and asked for a pen and a piece of paper so he could write a note for a neighbour.
The victim, who is in her seventies, gave him a pen and paper and the man left.
However, he returned a few minutes later and asked for a glass of water.
The woman agreed and found the man inside her home when she returned from the kitchen with a drink for him.
She told him to leave and later realised her purse was missing from her handbag.
The man was last seen walking toward nearby Herschell Street.
Detective Constable Kim Potter said: "The victim was left quite distressed by the incident, this was a callous crime against an elderly person in their own home.
"We need to catch the man responsible and would urge anyone who recognises the image or saw someone acting suspiciously in the area on Saturday morning to contact us.
"We would also like to speak to anyone who may have been visited in similar circumstances.
"Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could help with our inquiries."
The suspect is white, 5ft 9ins to 6ft and of medium build. He was wearing a cream coat and was of an unkempt appearance.
Contact Det Con Potter on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.
