PENSIONERS have been warned about doorstep conmen and urged not to open the door to unexpected visitors.

A team of police community support officers and a representative of charity Age Concern were at Asda in London Road, Wheatley, on Wednesday to hand out advice to the elderly on how to avoid being tricked by bogus callers.

The initiative follows a string of distraction burglaries last month when elderly and vulnerable residents were targeted in Stanton Road, Forest Hill, Pickett Avenue off The Slade, Brasenose Driftway in Cowley, and Collingwood Avenue in Risinghurst.

There were also incidents in Arnold Road and Sunningwell Road, Oxford, and in Didcot.

In Brasenose Driftway, four thieves grabbed and punched a 90-year-old woman in her home before one pushed her into a chair and hit her on the arm.

During the struggle, the woman’s 65-year-old daughter kicked one of the burglars in the groin and shouted for help as another man ran upstairs to search the bedrooms.

PCSO Chris Radcliff, of the Wheatley neighbourhood police team, said: “We want to reduce the number of distraction burglaries in the future.

“We are trying to make people aware of the problem and aware that it can happen to anyone. People still leave their doors open and there are unfortunately a lot of people out there who will take advantage of that trust.

“A lot of people are aware of it but don’t know how to deal with it and that they can ask people for their ID and a genuine caller will wait.”

PCSO Dawn Hunt said the average age of victims of distraction burglaries across the Thames Valley was 83, adding: “This is a vulnerable sector of the community and they are easy targets. It’s an awful crime. ”

Safety tips include: Lock your door when you are at home

Do not unlock it until you are sure who is on the other side

If someone appears at your door and you are not expecting visitors check all the doors are locked and look through the spy-hole

If you open the door, put the door chain on and keep it on while you talk

Ask for and double check the caller’s identity card and keep the door chain on while you do this.

Ask for a number to call to confirm their identity. A genuine caller will wait.

Kate Medcraft, from Age Concern, said victims of distraction burglaries were affected for months and years after the incident. She said: “They are scared to go out and open the door. If they need anything, they will have their tea with no milk in it. They can become isolated and ill stuck at home. They tend to go downhill and it spirals.”

Ms Medcraft said Age Concern’s helpline number – 0844 887 0005 – gave pensioners help and advice on all types of issues.

Shopper Sara Howard, of Greater Leys, Oxford, was picking up advice and leaflets for her mother, Patricia, 72, of Ambrose Rise, Wheatley. She said: “I want to make sure we’ve got her as safe as possible just in case.”

Ethel West, 78, of Forest Hill, near Wheatley, said: “I live with my daughter and son-in-law but during the day I’m on my own and they make me lock my door.”

Janet and Keith Barrett, of Kidlington, have also started locking their door. Mrs Barrett, 72, said: “We’re more careful now not to leave it open, but we feel safe.”