Three distraction burglaries targeting pensioners in their 70s on the same night may have been carried out by the same criminals.

In Bernwood Road, Bicester, a man called at the home of a 74-year-old woman at 6.30pm on Tuesday. He said there had been an explosion on the other side of the road and asked for a sample of water. He left when the victim asked to see his ID.

In Eynsham Road, Botley, at about 6.45pm, two men knocked on the door of a 79-year-old woman and claimed they were from a utility company. They also said there had been a gas explosion and asked the woman to turn her water off at the main.

The pensioner closed the door and the men left.

In both incidents the men spoke with Irish accents.

In Woodstock Road, Witney, at 7.30pm, two burglars targeted the home of a 74-year-old man when he left his front door ajar to put his bins out. One man went into the house and the victim saw him coming out of a bedroom. He told the victim he was a police officer investigating a theft in the area.

The pensioner later discovered his wallet had been stolen which contained bank cards.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.