AN 89-YEAR-OLD woman has been conned by a thief impersonating a TV engineer.

The victim opened the door of her home in Sandford Road, Wareham, to a man claiming that her television, DVD player, Hifi, record player, speakers, amplifier and all cables needed to be taken in for a service.

The goods were placed into a small black van, and the man then drove away.

He is described as white, with short blond hair, and was wearing a dark suit and tie.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said the offence took place sometime between 10am on Thursday and 12noon on Friday, and was reported to the police on Saturday morning at 11.30am.

He urged residents to check identification before allowing an unknown person into their home, and to do this by appointment only.

Dorset Police treat such incidents extremely seriously and a police investigation is underway to trace the offender, he added.

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 quoting crime number 021143.