Elderly man robbed after woman posing as charity worker hugged him

The man robbed the woman in a Waitrose car park. Picture: Google

A thief thought to be posing as a charity worker stole money from an elderly man while hugging him as a distraction tactic, police have said.

The 88-year-old victim parked his car in a Waitrose car park in Saffron Walden, Essex, when a woman tapped on his window.

When the man wound down his window, the woman placed a clipboard on his steering wheel, and drew on it.

Believing she was asking for a donation on behalf of a charity, the man gave her a £5 note.

The woman then hugged him for around one minute before leaving, which police say the victim found "odd".

After doing a supermarket shop, the man realised a three-figure sum of money was missing from his pocket.

Police are looking for a white woman with black, shoulder-length hair who was seen carrying a blue clipboard between 2.30pm and 3.00pm on November 5.

Investigating officer Pc Luke Wilkinson said: "We understand the woman may be claiming to be working on behalf of a children's charity and we would like to hear from anyone who has been approached by her or has information."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting crime reference 42/176312/19.