THREE pensioners in Oxford were targeted by a conman posing as a police officer in a bid to burgle their homes.

Two homes in East Oxford were targeted on Monday by the burglar, who claims he needs to get into homes to assess whether he can install security CCTV.

In one incident, he showed a false police ID card and stole a purse from the house of a 79-year-old woman living in Amory Close, Cowley, at 2.30pm.

Earlier, at 2pm, he attempted to con his way into a house on Knights Road, Blackbird Leys, but the 74-year-old man living at the address was not convinced and turned him away.

Det Sgt Marc Tarbit, from the Oxford Burglaries Team, said: "The gentleman did exactly the right thing. He was brave to stand up to this man, even after the offender's persuasiveness, and claims that he was a police officer.

"The elderly man made sure he left empty-handed and also called the police straight away."

These incidents followed a distraction burglary last week. At about 1.15pm on Monday, an 80-year-old man in Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys, had his Christmas savings and pension book stolen.

A man got into to his house by claiming to be a Special Branch officer wanting to improve his security.

Caroline van Zyl, the city council's executive member for a safer city, said: "These are among the most callous and calculating of offences, frequently targeted at society's more vulnerable members and in particular our older citizens.

"We can all help to counter, or combat the effects of, these despicable crimes by looking out for our elderly neighbours and relations at this time of year and urging them to be alert to unexpected callers."

Det Sgt Marc Tarbit, of Oxford Police, added: "I advise residents not to let people in to their homes who attend without an appointment or don't have any identification on them. Please make sure you always ask people for ID and if you are at all unsure - don't let them in.

"Any real police officer will not mind if you ask their name and take time to call the police to verify that they are an officer.

"They also carry a photo ID card. If you are at all in doubt about the person at your door, and especially if they will not leave when asked, then call 999 immediately."

Relatives, friends, neighbours and carers are urged to make sure the elderly are aware of this advice.

If anyone has any information about these crimes or other related incidents, Det Sgt Tarbit can be contacted on 08458 505505.