Youth gang targets elderly women

A gang of youths targeted two elderly people in distraction burglaries in Oxford within minutes.

Police said the ruse involved a gang member knocking at the victim's home asking for an imaginary ball back before raiding the property.

A woman in her 70s was targeted at her house in Stanway Road, Risinghurst, on Tuesday night.

Minutes later a woman in her 80s in St Martin's Road, Rose Hill, was also duped. The thieves escaped with £200.

Police are trying to trace a grey BMW with a large noisy exhaust and large alloys.

These criminals have despicably taken advantage of vulnerable, elderly people and exploited their trusting nature PC Karl Ralph

Both victims went into the garden with the youth that knocked on their door, supposedly to retrieve their ball.

But when they came back into the house they found a number of youths inside.

A neighbour of the second victim saw four people, aged in their late teens or early 20s, running away and getting into a distinctive BMW car.

PC Karl Ralph said: "These criminals have despicably taken advantage of vulnerable, elderly people and exploited their trusting nature.

"The burglaries took place within 15 minutes of each other and were probably targeted.

"I would also like to appeal for anyone who recognises the description of this distinctive car to contact me."

Officers are asking anyone with any information to contact them.