HAVE you seen this man?

Police have released an e-fit of a man they want to identify in connection with a distraction burglary in Leigh.

The suspect called at a house in Glendale Gardens between 8am and 2pm on December 18 claiming to be from a gas company and that he needed to read the metre.

Two days later, the 56-year-old male victim realised that four watches that had been in his dining room had been taken.

The items taken were a men’s Omega silver metal watch with a black face, a men’s Omega silver metal watch with a blue face, a men’s Tag Heuer watch with a black leather strap and a round face with silver edging, and a men’s Tag Heuer watch with a square black face with silver edging.

DC Shelley Utley, of Southend CID, said: "This man was extremely convincing and had also shown a fake identity card to get into the house. But checks with the victim’s gas provider have confirmed that they did not have anyone calling at his address on the day in question.

"The suspect is described as white, aged around 40, 5ft 9in tall, with a shaved head or very closely cropped hair. He was wearing a dark navy jacket and trousers. Anyone who recognises the man in the e-fit or who has any other information which could assist our enquiries can call me at Southend Police Station on 101.”

People can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.