POLICE are on the trail of a burglar who used a five-year-old girl to help him steal from a house in Poole.

The man, in his 20s, was accompanied by the small, fair-haired girl during the distraction burglary.

Using the youngster as a smokescreen, the burglar conned his way into the house and stole a purse from the woman resident.

Officers, who are shocked by the use of a child in this way, are linking the crime to other sightings of the pair. Inspector JP Oosthuizen, of Gravel Hill police station, said: “It is most unusual for a child to be involved in an incident in this way and I’m hoping that witnesses who were in the Alderney area and saw a similar man and child will contact police.”

The burglary happened on Friday, 7.30pm, in Berkeley Avenue, Alderney. The man talked his way into the house after pretending to be collecting sponsorship for the Trinidad Boxing School.

Three days later, on Monday at 4pm, a resident in Corbiere Avenue, Alderney, became suspicious after the pair asked for sponsorship money for the Trinidad Boys’ Centre. This time nothing was taken.

Inspector Oosthuizen said: “We’re very keen to find this man and the girl and I’d like to hear from anyone who knows who they are, and from anyone who has any other information that might help identify them.”

The little girl was wearing a pink jacket and distinctive horn-rimmed glasses. The man is white, six feet tall, of slim build and spoke slowly.

“I’d also like to remind residents to be alert when people you don’t know call on you unexpectedly,” said the inspector.

“Never invite anyone into your house that you do not know.”