Barnet war veteran's medals stolen on D-Day anniversary Published duration 8 June 2014

image copyright Met police image caption The 92-year-old victim served in the Grenadier Guards

A 92-year-old war veteran had his medals stolen in a distraction burglary on the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

Eleven medals were taken from the man's home in Whetstone, Barnet, north London, the Metropolitan Police said.

The man opened the door on Friday to a man claiming to be from a water company, who said he needed to check the water pressure.

The victim served in the Grenadier Guards during World War Two, mainly in Italy and North Africa.

The caller arrived at the man's home at about 09:25 BST on Friday.

After he was allowed inside, he appeared to look at the taps in the kitchen and left shortly afterwards.

media caption Speaking on BBC London 94.9, Trading Standards described the crime as "disgusting"

Later that evening the victim noticed that items in his bedroom had been disturbed and 11 war and service medals had been stolen.

Nothing else is believed to have been taken.

The caller is described as white, about 5ft 10in (1.78m) and stocky.

He spoke with an Irish accent and police said he wore grey clothing of "the sort an engineer would wear".