A SPATE of burglaries affecting older people in South Oxfordshire, which are currently being linked by police, took place over the course of an hour this week.

All three incidents took place between 10.15pm and 11.15pm, on Sunday, May 1, according to Thames Valley Police.

At about 10.15pm the resident of a home in Wantage Road, Wallingford - a woman in her seventies - heard noises from the front of the house.

When she investigated she saw a man, described as white, 5ft 9ins and wearing dark clothing, walking out of the front door. Nothing appears to have been stolen.

Then at about 10.50pm another woman in her seventies living in The Green, Middle Assendon heard suspicious noises in her home. She found two men in the kitchen and when she challenged them they continued to search her property before leaving through the bedroom window, stealing her bank cards, purse and cash. 

The men were described as white, approximately 18 or 19 years old, about 5ft 7ins and wearing face coverings.

Finally at about 11.15pm a man in his eighties living in Couching Street, Watlington found two men in his conservatory and a third on the stairs in his home.

The rear patio door had been forced and cash was stolen during the incident. All three were wearing face coverings.

Detective Sergeant Francesca Jarvis of Abingdon CID said: “Burglaries are often upsetting for the victims and unsettling for neighbours and the local community. We’re supporting these victims and would like to reassure the public, particularly the elderly living on their own and their families and friends, that we are here to help."

Anyone with information should call 101.