A CALLOUS thief stole cash from a visually-impaired man with learning difficulties after forcing his way into his flat.

Police are urging people to be vigilant following the distraction burglarly at Battiso Walk, near Burrows Close, Malvern, on Tuesday (30) night.

The offender, described as wearing a black jumper and smart coat, rang the doorbell of the victim, a man in his 50s who lives in a warden controlled flat, between 5pm and 6pm.

He asked to come inside, but the victim refused. The offender made his way inside anyway and went into the lounge, where he was persuaded the victim to buy Christmas cards and other items.

The victim collected his money box from the bedroom in order to pay for the items but the offender took the box and helped himself to £80 cash, as well as the victim's bank card and pin number.

PC Phil Wood, from Worcester police station, said: “This was a callous incident involving a vulnerable victim and we are interested in speaking to anyone in the Malvern area who was visited recently by door to door sales people attempting to sell cleaning products.”

Anyone with information should call West Mercia Police on 101, quoting incident number 21-N-311012, or ring independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.