A man tricked his way into a vulnerable pensioner’s home and robbed her.

The victim answered the door of her flat in Chesham Street, Brighton, at about 9pm on Sunday May 11 to a man who asked her for £10 to help support his baby.

The 82-year-old told the man to wait at the door before she went into her flat and tried to close it.

But the man, who was wearing dark clothing including a hooded top, then barged his way into the flat, grabbed a wallet containing hundreds of pounds from the victim and knocked her to the ground.

The victim suffered a minor cut to her and was left shaken. She was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital for treatment. Detective Constable Scott Moore, of Sussex Police, said: "It looks like the man deliberately targeted the victim as she seems to have been the only person whose door he knocked on.

"She is very upset at what has happened.

"We need to speak to anyone who heard the victim scream during the incident and may have seen the burglar leaving.

"If you know anything at all please contact us."

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting serial 1405 of 16/5, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

If you have any information about burglaries call 101, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.