A THIEF masquerading as a police officer pushed a disabled man to the floor before ransacking his home.

The 52-year-old victim was in bed when someone knocked on the door of his home in Warrington Road, Leigh, at 11pm on Sunday.

He asked who was at the door at a man replied saying it was the police. The victim was then pushed to the floor as he opened the door.

The intruder then told him to go into his bedroom and stay there while he searched the home, before leaving with the man's TV.

The suspect is white, tall, was wearing a black bob hat, a black tracksuit top and grey tracksuit bottoms.

It is thought three people were involved in the attack.

Det Con Richard Willoughby said: “The victim is disabled, has learning difficulties and it is a disgrace that someone has taken advantage of him in this way.

"He genuinely believed there was a police officer on the other side of the door and when he opened it, he was pushed to the ground.

“We believe there may have been two other people standing outside, also wearing black bob hats so I would appeal to anyone who may have seen these men to contact us.

“Although an arrest has been made, we are still appealing for information.

“I would also like to remind people to always ask for ID. If they supply ID and you are still not happy, do not let them in.

"A genuine caller would not want to cause distress and would come back if you wanted a family member or a trusted neighbour with you.”

A 36-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and released on bail until July 10.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 8567225 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.