Sir.-It is far too easy to condemn a spate of wicked burglaries of pensioners.

Nobody will defend the actions of the thieves concerned - but I do wonder about the wisdom of the pensioners.

How many times over the last year have newspapers (including The Gazette) and TV reports dealt with the same kind of theft from other pensioners, both locally and nationally?

How many times do the police and utilities providers have to repeat warnings before pensioners actually pay attention?

If "young men" came to my front door, I like to think I would demand to see their photo ID before I even thought of letting one in.

Anyway, what on earth are the pensioners doing with "thousands of pounds" in their sheltered accommodation? Have they never heard of banks, building societies or even the Post Office Savings Bank?

I believe it is utter stupidity for any person of any age to keep their "life savings" in cash at home.

Never mind the burglary, it could just as easily have been lost in a fire.

People, both old and young, should be encouraged to use safer means of keeping their money.

No wonder the DWP is trying to get OAPs to get all state pensions paid into bank accounts.

-Joe Robertson, Downsland Road, Basingstoke.