POLICE chiefs in Blackpool are keen to trace a number of heartless criminals after a spate of burglaries at the homes of elderly people in the area.

The first occurrence was at around 4.40pm on Sunday, August 20, in Station Road, Kirkham. A man knocked on the door of an 89-year-old lady and asked to use the toilet. He went inside and stole £50 from her purse. A witness followed him to Coronation Street and he drove off in a small white van. He was aged 20-25, 5ft 10, slim with short black hair and wore a yellow shirt and black trousers.

On Wednesday, August 23, at 2pm, two youths gained access to the home of an 80-year-old woman in Knowle Avenue, Cleveleys. While one distracted her, the other stole £25 from her purse. They were both in their late teens, thin and approximately 5ft 7. One of the youths had dark hair and wore a cross and chain and a green shirt. The second youth had lighter hair and spots on his face. A man claiming to be from the council called at the home of a 79-year-old lady in West View, Wesham, on Friday, August 25, at around 4.35pm. He said he was checking her drains and, while he distracted her, an accomplice sneaked inside the house. Fortunately the pair were disturbed by a caller and escaped through the garden into Moorland Avenue, knocking over a fence. One of the men was in his early 20s, 5ft 10, slim with fair curly hair and spoke with a distinctive Irish accent. The other was in his teens, 5ft10, slim, wearing a white top and dark coloured trousers.

At around 7pm on Tuesday, August 29, a con man called at a pensioner's house in Ferrier Bank, Warton. He tricked his way in and stole a purse containing £26 in cash. He was 5ft 11, with mousy hair, had an Irish accent and wore a light green shirt and grey trousers.

A 15 year old boy had his £300 chrome BMX GT bike stolen from outside McDonalds on Blackpool Promenade. An older youth asked the boy if he could " have a go" on his bike, but when the youngster refused the youth punched him in the face and rode off. He was in his late teens, 5ft 5 and slim with short blond hair. He wore blue tracksuit bottoms and a yellow jacket and spoke with a Manchester accent.

If you have any information about these crimes or any others then you can call Crimestoppers anonymously and for free on 0800 555111.