CCTV images have been released by police following a number of distraction burglaries targeting the elderly.

The thieves distracted the victims then took handbags and later withdraw money using their bank cards or taken cash in their handbags.

Two CCTV images show three men police want to speak to in connection with a burglary in Gosport shortly between 12.30pm and 1pm on Monday, November 9.

Police say the victim, a 96-year-old woman, answered the door to a man who told her victim that her garage fascia needed repairing.

After the man left, the woman later discovered that her handbag containing cash and her bank card had been stolen and £370 had disappeared from her account.

Police have also released another image of a man wearing a hat and a red coat they want to speak to in connection with a burglary on Reed Road in Gosport on Wednesday.

A woman in her 90s answered the door to a man who claimed he was going to carry out repairs to her chimney.

Her handbag was stolen and her bank card had been used to withdraw more than £300 from her account.

On Monday, November 20 at around 11 am on Clifton Road in Lee-on-the Solent, an 83-year-old woman answered the door to a man who claimed his cat had been injured and may have to run into her garden.

Later, the 83-year-old victim discovered that her bank cards and £220 in cash had been stolen.

In another incident, at 2pm on Sunday, November 19 on Worthing Avenue in Gosport, an 89-year-old woman answered the door to a man who claimed to be carrying out building work on a neighbour’s property and asked for access to her garden.

Again she later discovered her handbag had been taken.

Finally, shortly after 9am on Sunday, November 5 on Meadowbank Road in Fareham, a 90-year-old woman’s handbag containing cash was stolen in a similar incident.

PC Nick Jackson said: “Our enquiries have led us to believe that these five incidents in Gosport, Fareham, and Lee-on-the-Solent in November may be linked.”

Two men, aged 53 and 49, from Gosport have been arrested on suspicion of offences including burglary and committing fraud by false representation, but have since been released without charge, but remain under investigation.

Call 101 quoting reference 44170465042.