AN elderly man has been targeted by a conman who convinced the victim into handing over his wallet containing his savings.

Police in Northallerton are appealing for witnesses and information after the suspect called at the 91-year-old man’s house in Stokesley Road posing as a workman on Wednesday (January 21), between 2pm and 2.30pm.

He persuaded his elderly victim to allow him into his home after convincing him that he needed some work doing on his house.

While the man was inside the house he persuaded the pensioner to show him where his money was kept, claiming there had been money stolen in the area and he wanted to check serial numbers.

After being shown the money, the suspect grabbed the man’s wallet and ran off from the house.

He was seen running the vicinity of Stone Cross service station and along Stokesley Road.

The suspect is described as white, aged 40 to 50, of stocky build and about 5ft 10in.

It is believed that he may also have called at a number of properties in the area offering to do work.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers, on 0800-555-111.