A man tricked his way into a pensioner's home by claiming he needed help supporting his baby before robbing her of hundreds of pounds.

The 82-year-old victim answered the door of her flat in Chesham Street, Brighton, at about 9pm on Sunday to a man who asked her for £10 to help support his baby.

The homeowner told the man to wait at the door and she went into her flat and closed the door but the man barged his way, grabbed a wallet containing hundreds of pounds from the victim and knocked her to the ground.

The victim suffered a minor cut to her arm but was very shaken and was taken to hospital to be examined.

Detective Constable Scott Moore 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."

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting serial 1405 of 16/5, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk.