A SECOND World War veteran targeted by conmen has warned other pensioners not to let strangers in their homes.

Former Royal Artilleryman Frank Vickers, 83, and his 74 year-old wife Mary had more than £400 stolen after a man knocked at their door claiming to be from the 'water board'.

While the pair were distracted, a second man entered the house, stealing cash and a collection of coins of great sentimental value.

The theft, from their house in Cockpit Close, Woodstock, on February 12, was one of a series of more than 17 distraction burglaries which have taken place in Oxfordshire in the past three weeks - though police believe more incidents may have gone unreported.

Most of the burglaries have taken place in west and north Oxfordshire, and in all cases it is pensioners who have been targeted. It is thought many of the burglaries were committed by the same two men. The maximum amount stolen has been £6,000.

Mr and Mrs Vickers yesterday spoke out about their ordeal, to prevent other pensioners falling victim.

Mr Vickers saw action in the Normandy landings and fought in the battle for Arnhem - made famous in the film A Bridge Too Far.

He said: "I was really shook up.

"The man said he was from the water board. He said there was a leakage down the road, and was testing the water pressure."

Mrs Vickers added: "We didn't realise until the next day when Frank went to get some money from his wallet and found it had all gone.

"We couldn't believe it. I went into the bedroom to see if mine was there, and my wallet and another purse were completely empty."

The intruder had also taken £300 from a container, a collection of old 'threepenny bits' and a gold sovereign which had been given to Mrs Vickers by her parents as a baby.

"I will never get that back," she said. "Some people are pretty rotten."

Mr and Mrs Vickers, who have three children, four grandchildren, said the people of Woodstock had been "marvellous", with a collection at their local pub The Punchbowl Inn raising more than £100 for the couple.

They also said they no longer kept money in the house, always used their door chain, and treated all callers with suspicion.

Sgt Craig Kirby, of Witney Police, said: "We've been really hit by distraction burglaries across Oxfordshire. We don't believe the offenders are local."

He added: "The message is: don't let people into your home without identification, and don't keep money at your address.

"We want people to check identification, use door chains and look at setting up passwords with utility companies. We also need to get the message out to families of elderly people, to help relatives access their bank accounts."

One of the distraction burglars was described as 5ft 6ins tall, with black hair. He was clean shaven and wore dark clothing. The second man was unseen.

In recent weeks, distraction burglaries have taken place at homes in the Cowley area of Oxford, Witney, Kidlington, Banbury, Lower Heyford, Chinnor, Islip, Wallingford, Benson, Chazey Heath, Dorchester, Yarnton and Chipping Norton.

Anyone with information can call Thames Valley Police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

RECENT spate of distraction burglaries have been:

  • February 12: Cockpit Close, Woodstock
  • February 15: Yarnton
  • February 15: Dunstan Avenue, Chipping Norton
  • February 16: Bretch Hill, Banbury
  • February 21: Blake's Avenue, Witney (two separate incidents)
  • Water Eaton Lane, Kidlington
  • February 24: Beesley Road, Banbury
  • February 24: Ashcroft Road, Banbury
  • February 24: Freehold Street, Lower Heyford
  • February 26: Glimbers Grove, Chinnor
  • February 26: Kidlington Road, Islip
  • February 26: Clive Road, Cowley, Oxford
  • February 26: Martins Lane, Dorchester
  • February 26: St John's Road, Wallingford
  • February 26: The Cedars, Benson
  • February 26: Bardolph Close, Chazey Heath
  • February 26: Similar incidents take place in Bracknell, Langley and Windsor, Berkshire.