POLICE are investigating after a man claiming to need a glass of water called at the home of an elderly couple, who later discovered a purse had gone missing.

POLICE are investigating after a man claiming to need a glass of water called at the home of an elderly couple, who later discovered a purse had gone missing.

The bogus caller knocked at their door twice on two successive days in Athenaeum Lane, Bury St Edmunds.

A police spokeswoman told how on the first occasion, at around 2pm last Tuesday, he asked if they could help him with a new digital radio he had just bought.

He entered the property and spoke to the couple about the radio, which he had in a yellow carrier bag. He did not take the radio out, the spokeswoman said. He then asked for a glass of water which was given but not drunk before he asked to use the toilet. The spokeswoman told how the visitor insisted on going to the upstairs bathroom instead of the downstairs one.

He then left stating he would return the next day.

The next day, between 3.45pm and 4.30pm, he did return and entered the house for a few minutes for a short conversation with the couple before leaving.

A purse was later found to be missing.

The man is was white, in his 30s, 5ft 10in tall, of medium build with short collar length dark hair and wore a light coloured jacket. Anybody with information should call Bury CID on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.