A war veteran lost all his �1,500 savings after he was conned by a bogus Thames Water official.

The 88-year-old victim allowed the man into his home in St Peters Street, Islington, on August 11 between 2pm and 2.30pm.

The suspect, carrying a legitimate white and pink coloured ID card, began running taps once inside and distracted the pensioner by asking him to examine the ceiling at the other end of the property.

Police believe an accomplice entered the flat at this point, ransacked a bedroom and took the cash.

The main suspect is described as a white man, aged 30, with brown hair which has a high hairline or is receding. He was wearing a white collared shirt.

Det Con Kelly Knowles said: “The victim has had all his savings stolen by this callous individual and his accomplice. The fact that the man had what appeared to be a legitimate form of ID is concerning and I appeal for people to be extra vigilant. We would like to know if any residents had someone matching this description knock on their door and try to get in?”

Anyone with information regarding this crime should call 0207 421 0150 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Thames Water confirmed that a batch of pink and white ID cards went missing in December and it is possible that these have fallen into the hands of criminals.

Thames Water has started a scheme to ensure that only genuine workmen are let in by residents by issuing a unique password, which genuine workers must quote if they knock on a resident’s door requesting access.

Anyone purporting to be from Thames Water will have this password to hand. Residents can contact Thames Water on 0845 641 0082.