Residents are being warned about letting strangers into their homes after reports of two incidents this week which resulted items being stolen.

On Tuesday a man posing as a police officer gained entry to the residence of a 65-year-old man in Courtney Road, Holloway, at around 8.20pm, and stole some cash from inside.

The suspect is described as white, aged between 35 and 40 years and 5ft 8ins tall.

He was wearing a black jacket with a “police logo” on it, black trousers and was carrying what looked like a flat police cap and a clipboard.

In a separate incident on the same day, a 74-year-old woman was returning to her home in Warlters Road, Holloway, when she was approached by a man in black clothes who said he was there to check her windows.

He followed her upstairs into the flat, pretended to check a few windows before telling her he had to get something from his van, but he did not return.

The victim called police after she realised that her bank card and freedom pass were missing from her bag.

The suspect is described as white, aged between 30 and 35 years and approximately 5ft 9ins tall.

Det Insp Simon Smith said: “We have seen a reduction of this crime type in Islington recently and are not linking these two incidents.

“However, we would like to remind residents to always be on their guard when unexpected visitors, men, women or even children, turn up at their door.

“Most callers are genuine, but if in doubt don’t let them in.”