Police today warned people to be on their guard after three distraction burglaries in Oxfordshire yesterday, where the offenders claimed to be from the water board.

At about 12.10pm, two men called at a house in New Yatt, near Witney. They both entered the property and while one distracted the occupant, a 93-year-old woman; the other stole £200.

At about 1.30pm, a man called at an address in Girdlestone Road, Headington, and asked an elderly couple to turn off the water supply. After he had left the premise the couple, who are aged in their eighties, noticed cash had been stolen.

Between 3pm and 3.30pm, a man called at an 80-year-old woman’s home in Oxford Road, Kirtlington. He went inside and turned on the taps and radiators. When he had left the woman noticed jewellery and cash had been stolen from upstairs.

Det Insp Chris Sharp said: “We believe these incidents could be linked and that two men were involved in the three burglaries.

"I would like to stress to the public that the water board does not exist, so if people knock at your door claiming to be from this company then don’t let them inside.

“I appeal to anyone who was in these areas of Oxfordshire yesterday and saw two men acting suspiciously to contact police immediately. “ Anyone with information that could assist police enquiries is urged to contact Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police and don’t want to leave your name, contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.