A SOUTH Belfast councillor has described those who robbed an elderly man in South Belfast as “thugs”.

The burglars, one of whom posed as a meter reader, targeted an elderly man in his home in Posnett Court last week. The distraction burglary took place on Friday afternoon at 4.50pm.

Police say a male wearing a high visibility coat called at the home of a man in his 70s asking to read his electricity meter.

When the man opened the door, four other men pushed their way into the house and threatened to hurt him if he didn’t hand over money. The gang made off with a sum of cash.

The elderly man was shaken but not injured during the incident. It is believed the gang made off in a blue coloured car in the direction of the Ormeau Road.

Alliance MLA Anna Lo condemned the gang and warned householders to be vigilant.

“I would warn all residents to be wary of bogus callers,” she said. “If anybody calls at your door on official business then they will be only too happy to show you identification.”

Mrs Lo urged people to have a chain fitted to their door and to use it every time somebody calls.

“This must have been a very distressing incident for this elderly man. Nobody should ever have to deal with something like this.

“This was a despicable crime carried out by thugs who have no regard for the wellbeing of others. If anybody has any information about this robbery then I would urge them to contact the police.”

Only two weeks ago figures showed that 2,977 offences against people aged 65 and over had been recorded between January 2010 and February this year.

About 170 of these cases – that is, one in 18 – subsequently resulted in someone being charged.

Police have asked anyone who may have information about the attack to get in touch.