DISTRACTION thieves were thwarted by a number of elderly people they targeted in Pewsey late on Wednesday evening last week.

However they did manage to get into the home of one elderly woman and steal her purse, containing £10 cash.

The woman, who police are not identifying, had gone to bed early and woke up to find a man in her bedroom.

Police would not say how he had gained access to her flat.

When the woman challenged the man he immediately left.

She later found her purse and £10 was missing.

Police believe two men were involved in the theft and what they believe were attempted thefts in the area of Stratton Road, Slater Road and The Square.

They attempted to talk their way into several homes by using ploys including they had run over a cat that had dashed into the garden or asking the elderly residents if they wanted cheap potatoes.

In one case they knocked on the door of a disabled man and pointed out that his mobility buggy was in the garden and it looked as if it might rain.

He resisted their offer to help him move it indoors.

PC Gary Sears said in most cases the pensioners remembered the police advice and shut the door on the callers.

He said: "Clearly the message about answering your door to callers you are not expecting is getting through because a number of people refused to listen to the callers.

"It's a good thing that they remembered the advice we have been issuing and turned the callers away."

Police want to hear from anyone who saw the two men. One was described as about 50 years old, with mousy hair, about 5ft8-9ins tall and a slouched stance.

The second man was in his thirties, with dark well-kept hair and between 5ft 5-10in tall.

Anyone who saw them or can help the police with their investigation is asked to ring Pewsey police station on (01672) 562222.