A man tricked his way into a pensioner’s home by claiming he needed financial help 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 for £10 to help support his baby.

The homeowner told the man to wait as she closed the door, but he barged his way in, grabbed a wallet containing hundreds of pounds from the victim and knocked her to the ground. She suffered a cut to her arm and was taken to hospital.

Detective Constable Scott Moore said: “We need to speak to anyone who may have seen the burglar leaving.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting serial 1405.