A PENSIONER was attacked in his home by a burglar claiming to be a policeman.

Police said a retired couple returned to their home in Queen’s Road West, Accrington at around 3.30pm on Wednesday to find that the side door had been forced open.

As they entered the house, they were confronted by a man was coming down their stairs.

The man claimed to be a police officer checking on the property however, when challenged by the male owner of the house, a struggle ensued and the victim was assaulted and suffered facial injuries and bruising.

A laptop and jewellery were taken during the incident.

Detective Inspector Ian Whitehead said: “The occupants are understandably very distressed by the incident.

“We are not ruling out the fact that there may have been more than one offender involved and we are determined to find out who is responsible.

“Incidents of this nature are rare and I believe that somebody in the local community may know who is responsible.”