A MAN in his late 80s was ass- aulted by two conmen who tricked their way into his home.

The men restrained the victim in his bathroom and took away his glasses before searching his house for valuables.

They struck on Monday at about 5.45pm in the Sandhills area of Oxford, and detectives are appealing for information, particularly from anyone who saw the men in Merewood Avenue.

Det Con Roy Thornton, of Oxford Police Burglary Team, said: "This is a despicable attack on a vulnerable man who has been conned into allowing these criminals into his home. Naturally he is extremely shaken by his ordeal."

The victim was at home when the men called and said they were from the 'water board' and needed to check his water.

He was asked to run his taps in the kitchen by one of the men and while he did this he heard the second upstairs. He went upstairs where they threatened him, and demanded he sit down on the toilet. When he began to call for help one held his hand over his mouth. The intruders then conducted a 'messy' search of the house and stole money.