Thief persuaded elderly pair to stay in kitchen as he stole

A "DESPICABLE" thief conned his way into an elderly couple's home and made off with hundreds of pounds in cash.

The 87-year-old man and 89-year-old woman were at their home in Silverknowes View at around 3:30pm on Thursday, when a man claiming to be working on a nearby flat above asked to come in to check on their water and electricity.

After requesting that the couple remain in their kitchen to observe their water flow, he entered other rooms before leaving with cash and bank cards.

A police spokesman said: "This despicable individual has targeted two vulnerable members of the community and helped himself to their cash, leaving them both deeply upset."

The suspect is white, clean-shaven, 30-35, 5ft 10in-6ft with a medium to large build, short dark, greying, thinning hair and spoke with an English accent.