A WOMAN of 87 was forced to watch while thieves ransacked her home, pocketing whatever they liked.

The break-in, at Kings Worthy, was one of three in the village on Friday evening, and police believe that the cases are linked.

Sometime between 7pm and 8pm, the thieves managed to enter the 87-year-old's home in Mountbatten Place.

She was about to go to bed when two intruders forced their way through a rear window.

One of the men came face to face with the pensioner in her lounge, and ordered her to sit down.

The second man then appeared and the thieves started to ransack her property for valuables.

Both men left soon after, making off with a bank card, cheque book and several hundred pounds in cash.

A police spokesman said the woman, who lives alone, was not harmed but left "extremely shaken".

At around the same time, officers believe that intruders targeted two more properties in nearby North Road.

Police stated that a man tried to force the rear window of a property, but was unsuccessful.

Officers added that, when this failed, a second man approached the front of the house and rang the bell.

An elderly woman opened the door, putting on the security chain before doing so. The man asked to be allowed inside, but the pensioner refused and rang police.

When officers arrived in North Road they checked some of the neighbouring properties as a precaution.

While doing so, they discovered that thieves had broken into the house next door by forcing a bedroom window.

Police said the intruders stole an unknown amount of cash while the residents were away.

Detective Constable Paul Jeans, who is leading the investigation, said: "It seems that these men have deliberately targeted the homes of elderly and vulnerable people. Their actions are brazen and despicable and we will leave no stone unturned in trying to find them."

He also praised the pensioner in North Road for putting the security chain on her door.

Police have issued a description of one of the men, who is 5ft 4in to 5ft 6in, in his early 20s, of stocky build, has fair hair and was wearing a blue jacket.

Anyone with information is urged to call DC Jeans at Winchester CID on 0845 045 4545.