Police are warning people to be vigilant after two burglaries in Oxfordshire where thieves posed as police officers.

The first incident happened at 6.20pm yesterday, at the home of a 95-year-old man in Stoneleigh Drive, Carterton.

Four men knocked on the door of the man’s house and when he opened it, they entered his property and told him they were police officers carrying out a search for drugs.

The elderly man was then asked to sit in his chair while one of the men carried out a search of the house, stealing a mobile phone, cash, credit and debit cards before leaving via through the front door of the property.

Then at 7.40pm, an 82-year-old woman heard someone entering her house in Oakley Road, Horton-cum-Studley.

When she went to investigate, she was confronted by three men who said they were police officers. The woman asked to see some identification, but none was shown and she demanded they leave the house.

The men left via the patio door at the rear of the property, but not before cash was stolen from the woman’s handbag.

Det Insp Steve Duffy, from Banbury CID, said: “I would urge anyone with any information about either of these incidents to come forward as soon as possible.

“Thankfully no one was hurt in either of these burglaries, but we want to ensure that whoever is responsible for these crimes is behind bars as soon as possible.

“If you saw or heard anything suspicious then please contact us and pass on your information.

“I would also like to reassure the public that these types of incidents are extremely uncommon in Oxfordshire and that the Cherwell and West Oxfordshire areas are among some of the safest places in the country to live.”

Anyone with information should contact Det Insp Steve Duffy via the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Line on 0845 8 505 505. Alternatively, you can contact the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.