Thieves posing as council workers have stolen hundreds of pounds from a blind pensioner.

The 82-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, was the latest victim in a spate of distraction burglaries in Bicester and surrounding villages.

Off-duty police officers have offered to fit locks and spy holes at pensioners' homes for free.

The Lock and Key Centre, in Wesley Lane, Bicester, has donated 100 locks as part of the campaign to guard against the problem.

In the past year about 20 incidents have been reported.

Pc Bob Hooke, Bicester police's crime reduction officer, warned that the criminals were targeting women living alone.

They told their latest victim they were from the council and needed to measure her windows for new double glazing.

Pc Hooke said a man asked for a drink.

While she was distracted, he went to her bedroom, found her handbag and stole about £400 cash on November 7.

He said: "She was completely unaware of what was going on.

"These are the type of people who get picked on."