More than £8,000 in cash was stolen in two distraction burglaries in the Vale of White Horse area, prompting police to warn pensioners to be on their guard.

Detectives said today that they believe the two incidents on Tuesday night are linked, and urged pensioners not to keep large amounts of cash at home.

At 7.45pm, a man broke into a house in Pound Piece, Ashbury, near Uffington, through a rear bedroom window.

He went into the front room where the woman resident, who is in her nineties, was watching TV.

He told her that money had been stolen from next door and police were en route.

He then searched drawers in the front room in her presence, at which point she told him to leave.

It was later discovered that the burglar had already stolen £3,000 from a bedroom.

At 8.25pm, a man went into a house in School Close, Longworth, near Kingston Bagpuize, through an unlocked door.

He walked into the front room where the occupiers — a married couple in their 80es — were watching TV.

This time, he claimed he was a neighbour and that their house had been burgled.

He added that the offender had been caught and the police were on the way.

The intruder then asked if any money in the house was safe and the husband showed him a tin that contained more than £5,000 in cash. The burglar stole the tin and left the house.

The burglar is in his 20s or 30s and was wearing a woolly hat.

Det Con Christopher Leech, of Abingdon priority crime team, said: “I am disgusted that this man has targeted vulnerable people in our communities, stealing their vital savings.

“If anyone has seen a man of this description or any suspicious activity in Ashbury or Longworth, then please contact us.

“Also, if you have had any suspicious callers at your house, let us know.

“This man has got away with thousands of pounds — thieves like him are totally unscrupulous and they will keep targeting the elderly if they know rich pickings are to be had.

“We want the friends, families and carers of the elderly to seriously think of ways to persuade them not to keep large amounts of cash in their homes.

“Help them use methods such as direct debit to pay the bills so they only need small amounts for their personal use.

“We want to repeat the advice for residents to confront unexpected and unknown callers to their homes and demand to see ID.

“We advise people not to let anyone into their homes unless they are completely confident about who they are.

“Legitimate callers will understand and expect to be questioned about their identity.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Det Con Leech on 08458 505505.