AN ELDERLY woman had sentimental jewellery stolen from a man claiming to be from a gas company.

The victim, aged 83, had several items stolen from her home in Green Lane in Chichester as the man ransacked the property unchallenged for around ten minutes between 12pm and 1pm on Friday, July 8.

She was approached the day before by a man offering to renovate her front patio, but closed the door on him.

He returned the following day claiming to be from the gas board, but the victim did not recognise him and allowed him to enter the house.

She only recognised him after the man told her he was leaving after the work had been completed.

Some of the items stolen included a golden engagement ring with a central sapphire surrounded by diamonds, a crystal necklace, a parrot brooch, several pairs of earrings, and a silver Sekonda watch which belonged to her late husband.

Police are appealing for information, with the suspect described as being in his 30s to 40s, around 5’ 5” tall, tanned skin, clean-shaven with a protruding stomach and wearing a dark coloured baseball hat, darker blue shirt and brown or beige coloured shorts.

Police constable Douglas Young said: “This is a despicable crime and we will do everything possible to catch those responsible. The jewellery taken in this incident is of great sentimental value due to links with the victim’s late husband and is irreplaceable. I would urge anybody with information about this incident to get in touch with us.”

Anyone with information is urged to report it online or call 101, quoting serial number 636 of 08/07, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.