Bogus snow clearer steals OAP's purse

POLICE are hunting a bogus workmen who visited the home of an 82-year-old woman pretending to be clearing snow for the council before stealing her purse.

The suspect called at the pensioner's home in the Deans area of Livingston at around 1pm on Thursday and claimed he had been sent by West Lothian Council to clear her path.

When the woman declined the service, the man pushed into her home before stealing her purse and making off towards Main Street.

Officers are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a blue flat-bed Ford Transit van in the area at the time. The driver of this vehicle is asked to contact the police to assist with their investigation.

The suspect is described as white, between 20 and 25 years old with a thin build.

He was wearing a baseball cap and blue checked shirt.

A police spokesman said: "Anyone who was in the area and saw a male matching this description is asked to contact police immediately.

"Similarly, anyone with information that can assist with our enquiries is also asked to get in touch."