A burglar posing as an electricity meter reader preyed on two innocent people in their own homes within a few hours yesterday afternoon.

At 11am, a man called at a house in Meadowview Road, Ewell, claiming to be there to read the meter.

A woman in her 80s let the man in and showed him around.

She later noticed £25 had been taken from a room.

Later, at 3.30pm, a man, again claiming to be from an energy supplier wanting to read the meter, knocked on a door in Lansdowne Road, Ewell.

When he was challenged for identificaiton he left.

The burglar is a black man in his early 30s and around 5ft 6ins tall.

He was wearing a black fleeced jacket, dark trousers and was carrying a bag.

Detective Constable Kirsty Webb, investigating officer, said: "At this stage in the investigation we believe these incidents to be linked and I also think the offender will have visited other properties in the area.

“If he called at your home, or if you saw anyone who matches his description acting suspiciously, please call me with information.

"Thankfully, the offender was thwarted from carrying out a further offence in Ewell the same afternoon after he was challenged for ID."

Police officers from the Epsom and Ewell safer neighbourhood team are making a number of enquiries in the area.

Anyone with information should call the police on 101 quoting reference 45140104241 or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.