Pensioners are again being targeted by confidence tricksters, who trick their way into homes to steal.

Police warn there have been 25 separate distraction burglaries and attempted distraction burglaries in Oxford in just six weeks. In total £7,750 has been stolen from pensioners - whose average age was 80.

Crime reduction officer Pc Keith Raw urged elderly people to be less trusting.

"If they're in doubt they should shut the door and call police," he said.

Incidents include:

A man claiming to be from the electricity board stole hundreds of pounds from an 85-year-old woman near Donnington Bridge, while a 77-year-old woman in the same area had £1,500 stolen by a bogus electricity official.

A 76-year-old, from Cowley, had £2,500 stolen by workmen, who said they needed access to the inside of her house to carry out guttering work.

An 81-year-old women, from north Oxford, had £1,500 stolen by a man who claimed to be offering gardening work.

Other pensioners have been targeted by conmen who claim they have won cash in a prize-draw and by people offering to fit carpets.

A gang of four teenagers is thought to be behind five recent incidents in North Oxford.

They used a range of excuses - including asking for a plaster for a cut and claiming to have lost a cat.

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