Police are linking two incidents of conmen preying on elderly people.

In the first incident, a man and his accomplice escaped with a handbag from an elderly couple in Ruscote, Banbury. A handbag was taken from the house.

The man had claimed to be working next door and asked to check the water while his unseen accomplice stole the handbag.

Later,ess than an hour later two men who said they were working at a nearby house called at the home of a man in his 80s in Bicester. £100 was stolen from his wallet. In both cases one suspect is described as a white male, 6ft tall and well built with dark hair.

The second person in the incident in Bicester is described as white, about 18-years-old, with short dark curly hair and dark clothes.

Det Con Steve Butler said: "We are linking these two crimes."

Both incidents were on Monday afternoon. Police are appealing for witnesses to call 0800 555111.

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