In the North, police are investigating a distraction burglary at the home of a woman in her 80s in Newtownabbey.

A man claiming to represent water authorities called at the Glenvarna Green property at around 2pm yesterday afternoon.

He showed the resident a brief glance of what he claimed was an ID card and entered the house.

The man was in the property for around half an hour and when he left, the elderly woman noticed her purse was missing.

The assailant is described as being around 20-years-old, 6ft, with brown hair and was wearing a dark jacket with a flag design on the left side.

Police are appealing for witnesses.