RESIDENTS have been urged not to keep large amounts of cash at home following of a series of ‘rare’ crimes against vulnerable people by ‘vile’ burglars.

Last week North Wales Police confirmed its officers were looking into a spate of burglaries at the homes of elderly people in Mancot, Flint and Holywell – as well as addresses in Coedpoeth and Chirk.

The force has confirmed it continues to hunt those responsible, but Sgt Alison Sharp has also called on members of the public to take extra precautions.

She said: “Elderly people have been targeted in their home addresses by a group of vile and callous burglars recently in Holywell, Coedpoeth and Chirk.

“They are searching for cash and will forcibly restrain the occupants whilst they make an untidy search of their houses.

“This is usually a very rare type of crime and this is not to frighten residents but please don’t keep large amounts of cash at home, put it in the bank where it is safe from these thieves.

“For those that are not so elderly, can you please call on elderly relatives, friends, neighbours and encourage them to remove any cash that they have at home and put it in the bank.

“For specific crime prevention advice you can contact your local policing teams or the Community Safety policing team at Llay police station on email: easterncommsafety@nthwales.pnn.police.uk.”

The Mancot incident on Monday saw thieves enter a house in Gladstone Way unnoticed and steal an elderly man’s wallet at about 8.15pm.

Thieves also smashed a window to gain entry to the home of a 90-year-old woman in Oakenholt, Flint, at around 9pm on Monday. It is unclear if anything was stolen.

An elderly woman was victim to a burglary in Holywell on January 19.

Burglars also struck at addresses in Maes Tyddan, Coedpoeth, on Saturday, February 2, at around 4pm and at St Mary’s Close, Chirk, at 5.50pm on the same day.

A spokesman for North Wales Police confirmed no arrests have yet been made in connection with the burglaries, but enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information can call North Wales Police on 101.