A DISTRACTION burglar has struck at a West Dorset post office and stolen £360 from staff.

Police have released an e-fit of the man responsible for the raid at Bradpole Post Office in Bridport and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

The man handed over £850 in £50 notes to staff, asking for smaller denominations.

Police said it was during this exchange that the man ‘intentionally tricked’ the man serving him and stole a further £360.

It is believed the thief attempted the same scam later that day at the Post Office in West Street, Bridport.

Staff refused his request and the man left empty-handed.

The man is of Asian appearance, around 40 years old, 5ft 8in tall, with short dark hair and clean shaven.

He wore a long-sleeved tan-coloured top, a heavy gold necklace, silver bracelet and three gold rings on his right hand and spoke in broken English.

PC Caroline Orchard, of Bridport police, said: “I am now able to release an e-fit of the man responsible.

“I would like to speak with anyone who witnessed either of these two incidents and anyone who saw a man of this description in any post offices in the Bridport area.

“I would also like to speak to any local business owners who feel that they may have been the victim of a similar type of crime within the last couple of weeks.

“Anyone with any information should contact me urgently.”

No one from Bradpole Post Office was willing to comment on the burglary. Police have only just released detail of the distraction burglary, which happened on the morning of Friday, July 23.