There can be few crimes as depressing and despicable as those which target the vulnerable.

Included in that category are crimes against the elderly.

They are often targeted by burglars who prey on their victims by pretending to be officials calling at homes on professional business.

Often the trusting victim is distracted by one individual while another enters the house to carry out the burglary.

The victims are left feeling confused, vulnerable and terrified. They cannot even feel safe in their own homes.

Police are currently doing their utmost to track down a gang of callous thieves who obviously have no qualms about destroying elderly people's lives. They have already targeted four homes in just one week.

While one hopes they are caught and dealt with in the strictest way, the message to elderly people has to be: stay on your guard and demand to see identification from anyone calling at the door, no matter how trustworthy they may seem.

These are nasty individuals are also extremely cunning.