Police are hunting a gang of burglars who are targeting elderly people in Swindon.

A special unit has been set up dedicated to tracking down the thieves.

Officers say the gang has already carried out four distraction burglaries in the past week and a couple in their 90s were among the latest victims.

The thieves prey on the elderly and those with disabilities by sending someone to the front door to create a distraction while an accomplice enters the house at the back or through another entrance. The person at the front door will often pose as a bogus salesman or tradesman, who will gain the attention of the homeowner.

Launching Operation Deliverance yesterday, Detective Constable Mike Rees, who along with DC Paul Drever is heading the 10-man unit dedicated to finding the burglars, said: "This is a despicable crime.

"We went out to visit one of the victims this week, and she had fitted bars across her kitchen window, as though she was a prisoner in her own home.

"We intend to make these men prisoners in their own cells.

"Both myself and DC Drever have recently finished long investigations, and we shall not rest for a second until we've achieved our goal."

The first of the four incidents took place last Tuesday, November 21 at around 2.30pm when an elderly Moredon woman living near The Street was tricked into allowing two men into her home after they claimed to be checking flood damage.

A man said he needed to check the plumbing and when he left the house the woman realised he had stolen money from her pension book.

A similar incident occurred on Friday, November 24 at around 2pm in Mays Lane, Chiseldon, when a woman had almost £800 stolen.

In the third incident on Saturday, November 25, a man attempted to lure an elderly woman resident of Wharf Road, Wroughton out of her house at 6.30pm, but was thwarted when she slammed the door on him.

And on Tuesday this week an elderly couple in their nineties living in Blake Crescent in Stratton St Margaret had £500 stolen in a burglary which took place around 8.30pm.

DC Rees said: "I would especially advise the elderly and disabled to be especially cautious and remember to ask all unknown visitors for ID before they open the door.

"We've had a spate of this type of burglary recently. I think there is a gang operating in Swindon."

He said the offences have usually involved two males, although because of the age of the victims, descriptions have varied.

One man is described as white, 5ft 6ins tall, of slim to medium build, with short, light brown hair with a fresh complexion and in his late teens.

Another male is white, 5ft 4ins tall, of medium build and about 30 years old. He was thin, with dark brown swept back hair and a clean fresh appearance. He was wearing a silky looking hip length brown jacket.

Anyone with any information on these incidents can contact DC Mike Rees on Swindon 891338.