POLICE are warning elderly residents in Oxford to be on their guard after an 86-year-old woman fell victim to a doorstep conman.

A man called at a property in Hawksmoor Road, Cutteslowe, between 4.30pm and 5.30pm yesterday and told the woman he was checking for a gas leak.

He asked her to stay in the kitchen and see if she could smell gas, while he checked the rest of the house.

It was only after he had left she noticed several items had been moved and £300 had been taken.

The caller was white, in his 30s or 40s, 6ft tall, medium build, with very short brown hair. He was wearing a blue jacket and blue trousers, which looked like a uniform, and white gloves.

PC Alex Gill, distraction burglary officer for Oxford, said: "Some older people keep large amounts of cash in their homes for convenience sake.

"We want the friends, families and carers of the elderly to think about helping them to find different methods to manage their finances to reduce those amounts.

"However, it's the invasion of their homes and loss of security that upsets elderly victims as much as, if not more than, the material loss.

"Distraction burglars are cowardly people who are targeting some of the most vulnerable people in our community because they can abuse their trust.

"But elderly residents can take steps to protect themselves. Improve your home security, fit good quality locks, door chains, peep holes and make sure you use them. Always Stop, Chain, Check'.

"Stop and think about who could be calling unexpectedly, chain the door before you open it, and thoroughly check the caller's ID."

If anyone has any information about this incident they can contact PC Gill via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you do not want to speak to police and do not want to leave your name, contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.