AN ELDERLY woman slammed her door on a burglar who tried to pose as a plumber.

The woman answered her door on Desborough Road, High Wycombe, to a man who tried convincing her that her husband had asked him to look at her drains urgently.

When she refused to go outside the man jammed his foot in the door. Despite his persistence the woman eventually managed to close the door on him.

The offence took place on Saturday, April 24 at around 7pm. The offender is white, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins, skinny and was wearing dark, casual clothing.

PC Kate Newman of High Wycombe Police Station said: "This crime is cowardly and low, targeting elderly and vulnerable people in their own homes.

"I urge anyone with any information or who saw this man in the area to contact me.

"I would also like to stress that elderly people should not let anyone into their home who they are not expecting.

"If the caller is claiming to be from the police or a utility company contact their headquarters to check they are who they say they are before you open the door. If they are genuine they will understand why you are doing this.

"If you are approached in suspicious circumstances call 999 immediately. We are determined to catch these criminals and a prompt call to police gives us a better chance."

Anyone who may have seen a man matching this description should contact PC Newman at High Wycombe Police Station on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111