Police believe three burglaries at the homes of elderly women may be linked.

An 87-year-old woman with a ground floor flat at The Deanery, Wood Street, Wallingford, said burglars broke into her bedroom as she was watching the television programme Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? in her lounge.

She went to investigate a noise, and discovered someone had climbed in through the window and stolen £150 cash from her bedroom.

She said: "It's dreadful what's happening to our society, isn't it? I couldn't sleep at all afterwards. The next night, I said to myself 'you've got to sleep, they won't come back'."

In two other incidents, which police believe are linked, two men forced open a bathroom window in nearby Cherwell Close and stole a purse and cash from the bedroom.

The elderly occupant, who was downstairs at the time, was confronted by them in the hall before they fled. Later that evening, burglars forced open the bedroom window of the ground floor flat of another 87-year-old at The Deanery while she was in. Her bedroom was searched, but nothing taken.

WPc Kay Allmond, of Wallingford police, warned people to ensure elderly friends and relatives had adequate security. She said: "Preying on the elderly is a particularly cowardly and despicable act."

Anyone who saw anything suspicious on Monday evening should contact Abingdon police on 01235 776000.