Thousands stolen from pensioners

People are being warned to confront unexpected callers and demand ID

Police are warning elderly people not to keep large amounts of money at home, after £8,000 was stolen from pensioners in the Vale of White Horse.

The cash was taken from two homes on Tuesday. Police believe the burglaries were carried out by the same man.

Detective Constable Christopher Leech said he was "disgusted" this man had targeted vulnerable people.

"Thieves are unscrupulous and will keep targeting the elderly, if they know rich pickings are to be had," he said.

Victims conned

During the first burglary, a woman in her 90s was watching television at her home in Ashbury, near Faringdon, when a man got in through a window and told her there had been a break-in next door and the police were on their way.

We want the friends, families and carers of the elderly to seriously think of ways to persuade them not to keep large amounts of cash in their homes DC Leech Thames Valley Police

He went on to search through drawers in front of her, until she got suspicious and asked him to leave.

He had already stolen £3,000 from a bedroom.

A short while later, a couple in their 80s were targeted at home in Longworth.

This time the man claimed he was a neighbour who had been burgled and asked the couple if any money they had in the house was safe.

When the husband showed him a tin with more than £5,000 in cash inside, the man took it and left.

Warning

The thief is in his 20s or 30s and was wearing a woolly hat.

"This man has got away with thousands of pounds," said Det Con Leech.

"We want the friends, families and carers of the elderly to seriously think of ways to persuade them not to keep large amounts of cash in their homes,"

"Help them use methods such as direct debit to pay the bills, so they only need small amounts for their personal use."

The police are advising people not to let anyone into their home, unless they are completely confident about who they are.