A con man put an elderly woman in a taxi to draw out £400 for landscaping work he never did.

The scam artist turned up unannounced 85-year-old's home in Banstead Road South on December 21 between 10.30 am and midday and offered to do landscaping and gardening.

The trickster agreed on a £400 price with the pensioner before ordering her a taxi so she could go to her bank in Woodcote Road, Wallington whilst he waited in a nearby cafe.

As soon as the woman came out, she gave the cash to the conman, who left and has not been seen since.

The suspect is described as a white man, aged in his late 50s, 5ft 6in - 5ft 8in tall, of medium build with mousy brown, curly and wavy hair.

If you saw anyone acting suspiciously at this time, or you have information that could help police enquiries, please contact Sutton’s Burglary and Robbery Investigation Team on 020 8649 0777.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

PC Duncan Harris, of Sutton’s Crime Prevention Team, said residents who are suspicious of any callers should keep the callers shut outside and call police immediately on 999.

He said: "Incidents like this are relatively few and far between in the borough but we would urge all residents to remain vigilant and to call police if they are suspicious of anyone calling at their front door."

Sutton Council has a Safer Sutton Trader Scheme which seeks to help residents employ trades people - and be confident that certain standards will be met.

For details visit: www.sutton.gov.uk/safersuttontrader. Alternatively, copies are available from Age Concern or the Civic Offices or by calling 020 8770 5070. Residents can also request a door sticker to try to reduce the cold callers knocking on their door from civic offices.