PENSIONERS have been warned to be on their guard for thieves who distract them by pretending to be foreign tourists – before stealing their cash cards.

Police are investigating after hundreds of pounds were stolen from pensioners shopping at Sainsbury’s, in Limborough Road, Wantage, and have released these pictures of two people.

During one theft, a 90-year-old disabled widower was distracted as he got into his car, by a woman mumbling in a foreign accent – who waved a map, as if she needed help with directions.

She wrestled with him before leaning on his bonnet and stared at him.

He eventually drove away, but later discovered his cash card was missing, and £280 had been stolen from a cash machine.

An 80-year-old woman lost £500 when her purse was stolen by a woman who followed her through the supermarket.

It is believed the couple watch vulnerable shoppers enter their pin numbers, then steal their cards.

The 90-year-old man, who did not want to be named, was robbed sometime between 1pm and 3pm on April 16.

He said: “She was vicious and strange, but I didn’t realise she had taken my card until I got home.

“They must have seen me finding it difficult to get out of my car, and thought I was an easy target. They probably followed me around and watched while I paid.

“My car was in the disabled bay and there were lots of people there – so many people would have seen them.”

Police are linking the incident with the attack on the 80-year-old woman, who had her purse stolen at the same supermarket on March 11.

The woman thief, in both incidents, was described as around 5ft 6ins tall, of slight build and aged around 40, with dark hair which was tied up.

The man was white, around 6ft tall, of slim build and aged between 30 and 35.

Pc Mark Lester, investigating the incident, said: “These thieves seem to be targeting elderly people.

“They are watching them shop and are able to obtain their pin numbers when they go to the checkouts.

“I ask anyone who recognises the people in the pictures to contact us as they could help with our investigation.

“We also warn people to be aware and careful when they are out shopping.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

mwilkinson@oxfordmail.co.uk