Householders in the Kidlington area are being warned to be on their guard following a night of burglaries.

Three incidents, all at homes of elderly and vulnerable people, took place on Tuesday between 8.01pm and 9.43pm.

A distraction burglary took place in Marlborough Close when a man conned his way the house of an elderly lady by claiming to be a gas engineer investigating a leak.

After he had left, the woman discovered her purse and pension book had been stolen.

In the two other burglaries, offenders broke in via rear windows. Thirty pounds in cash was taken from a house in Sand- hill Road, Begbroke, while nothing was believed to have been taken from a home in Brasenose Drive, Kidlington.

Police believe the crimes are linked and officers are looking for a team of three white men.

Sgt Paul Whittaker said: "While no actual violence was used in these burglaries, the victims have been left extremely distressed by these despicable crimes. If anyone has any information that may help us with our inquiries or recalls seeing any suspicious activity in the area, I would urge them to contact me as soon as possible."

Kidlington and Bicester crime reduction adviser David Campbell said: "The public can help prevent further crimes of this sort by ensuring that the homes of elderly and vulnerable people in their family or neighbourhood are secure.

"Unexpected and unknown visitors should never be admitted without a thorough check on their identities. Legitimate callers will not mind waiting. If there are suspicions they should be turned away and a call made to the police immediately."

Leaflets giving further security advice are available locally from the police stations and libraries in Kidlington, Woodstock and Bicester and the village post offices in Kirtlington, Bletchingdon, Yarnton, Begbroke, Islip, Wootton and Stonesfield.

Anyone with information about the burglaries can call Sgt Whittaker on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.