Having the cold-blooded audacity to steal from the elderly is one thing, but to target victims living next to a police station highlights how far a con man will go.

Every week it seems to be a new disguise or a new ploy to trick the vulnerable out of their life savings.

The crimes are getting more sophisticated and the lengths to which the con men will go to steal cash is becoming quite alarming.

The 91-year-old Trowbridge woman targeted on Saturday was lucky to escape from the incident unharmed.

Coming face-to-face with a con man means taking a great risk.

All too often we hear about elderly people beaten-up in their own homes protecting what is rightfully theirs.

It is up to all of us to educate our elderly relatives and neighbours on how to deal with cold callers.

Companies and authorities have made it easier to check identification of their employees and the police deserve praise for their ongoing bid to stamp out distraction burglaries, but is it enough?

Distraction burglaries are viewed by criminals as 'easy cash' and too often this view is an accurate one. Now is the time to start making it harder, with tougher penalties introduced to reflect the hideous nature of the crime.