Elderly people have been warned to remain vigilant after two pensioners were targeted by con artists in the space of two days in the Oswestry area.

The people responsible for the separate incidents have been described as “despicable” by civic leaders. An 84-year-old Gobowen man had cash and watches stolen when he was the target of a distraction burglary on Wednesday last week.

He fell victim after two men called at his house claiming they needed to inspect the water pipes.

The pensioner later realised a bedroom had been entered and a quantity of cash, a pocket watch and a wrist watch stolen.

And just a day later a 79-year-old partially sighted man was targeted by thieves in Oswestry who stole his bank card and then withdrew £250 from his account.

The pensioner was distracted by a man and a woman who stopped him to ask for directions.

Police believe he may have been deliberately targeted as the incident occurred shortly after he made a withdrawal from the Lloyds TSB cash point machine in Church Street.

The incident happened between 10am and 10.30am as the victim was walking home through Cae Glas Park.

While he was distracted by the woman holding a map her accomplice removed a cash-point card from his zipped coat pocket.

Shropshire Council member for Oswestry West Vince Hunt said he was “appalled” by the incidents.

He said: “The people who do this kind of thing, targeting our most vulnerable people, are despicable,” but added that “it is worth stressing these incidents are very rare”.

Shropshire Council member for Gobowen, David Lloyd, said the incidents demonstrated elderly people had to be vigilant.

He said: “Utility firms will have a pre-appointment to come to your home and nobody should be let in without first checking ID. These incidents have a terrible effect on the victims, many of whom do not have a great deal of savings.”

By Iain St John