Police today (23 December) issued an e-fit image of a man who posed as a police officer to rob a pensioner of £8,000 in his home near Brockwell Park.
Earlier, the victim, named only as Stan, had been invited to Brixton police station where officers presented him with a cheque for £5,500, raised by police in Lambeth.
Constables Ben Ings and Simon Cracknell, who were first on the scene, were so moved by the incident in which two men bullied their way into the Trinity Rise, Tulse Hill, home of 84-year-old Stan, that they set up a collection for him.
The two robbers claimed they were investigating forged notes and asked to see any Stan had. When they made off with his life savings, he was pushed to the floor while trying to stop them. He was not seriously hurt.
At Brixton, on the day of his 84th birthday, Stan met borough commander chief superintendent Richard Wood, PCs Ings and Craknell and the investigating officer, detective constable Sinem Sari.
Tie enthusiast and artist Stan was also presented with a tie themed birthday cake, baked for him by another Lambeth constable.
“I received a wonderful service and help in my time of need from police in Lambeth, after I was brutally assaulted and had my life savings taken from me,” said Stan.
“I thank them for the human kindness they showed me in all contact I had with the police officers from Brixton police station – it was a wonderful tonic.”
CS Wood repeated appeals for anyone with information about the crime to contact the police.
The main suspect is described as a white man of medium build, with dark hair and a dark moustache. He was wearing dark clothing with heavy boots and walked with a limp. It is thought he spoke with a Midlands accent, possibly Birmingham.
The second suspect is described as white with dark hair of medium build.
Anyone with information or who recognises the suspects should call Lambeth police on 101 or 020 8649 2131. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.
