A MAN posing as an asbestos investigator allegedly stole his victim’s purse after getting access to their home.

Essex Police is investigating a distraction burglary in which a man claimed to be checking for asbestos.

At about 11.30am on Monday, a man knocked on the door of a property in St Andrews Road, Hatfield Peverel, claiming he needed to check an outbuilding for asbestos, the force said.

The victim allowed the man to go outside before he asked to also check the living room.

She discovered her purse had been stolen just after the man left.

Detectives have now appealed for the public’s help to identify the suspected thief.

He is described as a white man with short wavy brown hair and wearing a high-viz jacket.

Essex Police said: “In particular, we’d ask anyone who was driving in the area at the time to check their dashcam to see if they have captured anything that may help our investigation.

“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.”

Reports can be made by contacting Essex Police online at essex.police.uk/digital101 or by calling 101 quoting reference 42/51835/24.

Anonymous reports can be made by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers online at crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.