POLICE believe that young criminals are targeting elderly people in Birchington. At the weekend three pensioners were crime victims within a few hours of each other and detectives are linking the incidents.

An 80-year-old woman was kept taking on her doorstep in Beverley Close by youth in his late teens. He asked her questions about alleyways in the area and then walked off. He spoke to another teenager who walked up to the woman, snatched her bag containing £30, and ran off towards Epple Bay Road.

Shortly after Wilborough Road an 84-year-old woman found that the kitchen window of her home had been forced open and £250 had been taken from her purse. Damage to the window is estimated at £70 and papers had been strewn onto the kitchen floor and table.

A shoret time later in Epple Road, an elderly woman reported seeing a prowler by the rear window of her home.

A resident in Broadley Avenue has also reported seeing a youth, thought to be aged about 16, jump over a fence into a garden. He ran off towards Canterbury Road.

One of the youths has short dark hair and was dressed in blue clothes. He speech was slurred. His accomplice wore a beige jacket and trousers.

A police spokeswoman said: “We believe there is a definite link between these incidents."

Anyone with further information should telephone Thanet police, 01843 231055.