BASINGSTOKE detectives hope to have made a breakthrough in solving a series of "distraction" burglaries at the homes of OAPs, thanks to the television programme Crimewatch.

Officers are set to question a youth - arrested by Cambridgeshire police the day after a TV appeal on Tuesday night - in connection with a series of con-trick burglaries in the town.

The 17-year-old had been named on the BBC programme as being wanted by several police forces investigating similar crimes across the country.

Detective Sergeant Steve Cook, of Basingstoke CID, said: "He is someone we suspect has been committing burglaries across south east England, including Basingstoke. We've been interested in him since the beginning of the year."

Officers will question the teenager about a series of distraction burglaries in Basingstoke that are believed to be linked.

As The Gazette has previously reported, victims across the town have lost thousands of pounds in cash to burglars who have conned their way into their homes in recent months.

Some of the offences have been committed at sheltered accommodation, and the callous tricksters have spun similar stories in many cases in order to swipe money from purses, wallets and drawers.

Elderly victims have been distracted by tales about needing to borrow a piece of paper and a pen.

On other occasions, the offenders have convinced their victims that they are police officers investigating a crime.

Earlier this month, Hampshire Constabulary launched a campaign to reduce the number of pensioners conned by burglars.

Officers have stepped up measures to catch the criminals. They have also been offering advice to the public on how to combat the thieves, through posters and leaflets distributed to libraries, doctors' surgeries and community centres.

First published: Monday, March 21, 2005