Nine people have been arrested after fraudsters posed as charity workers to steal from older people across three counties.
In February and March this year, the victims were randomly approached on streets and in their homes across Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Essex, police said.
The suspects stole money from them by pretending they were collecting for charity. They also stole necklaces from some of the victims by distracting them with a hug.
On 7 March, eight people from Slough – four women in their 20s, three men in their 20s and a 17-year-old male – and one man in his 20s from Birmingham were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal.
Three of the women have been charged with conspiracy to steal and have been remanded in custody, while the other six individuals have all been bailed while enquiries continue.
Wiltshire Police’s Supt Ben Mant said: “Wiltshire Police will never tolerate this type of offending where some of the most vulnerable members of our community are targeted for their valuables.
“As well as a monetary value, the jewellery stolen has often had a significant sentimental value that would be impossible to replace.
“The incidents have had a lasting impact on the victims, breaching their trust and, in the case of burglaries, invading their sense of security in the place where they should feel safest.”
He added: “I’d like to appeal to members of the public who have recently had an interaction similar to these incidents but may have only realised later that their jewellery was missing to please get in touch with us.
“We would always advise the public to, if possible, check if charity workers approaching you are wearing tabards branded with the charity they’re supporting, as well as a form of ID to ensure they are who they say they are and are representing a legitimate cause.”