POLICE have launched an appeal after a man stole more than £200 from a woman in her 70s.

A man allegedly entered the woman's home on Osborne Road in Hartlepool at around 6pm on Wednesday (May 1).

He then walked through the house and took a purse containing the money as he left.

Police said they were now looking for a white man in his 40s, described as 5ft 8inches with a slightly lined face.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "He had a ‘shiny’ bald head and was wearing a grey hooded top, blue jeans and white/grey trainers. He was carrying a blue carrier bag and made off on a light green coloured mountain bike.

"Detectives want to hear from anyone who may recognise this description of the man or who saw anything suspicious."

  • Anyone with information is urged to contact Cleveland Police on 101 and quote incident reference number 072896.