POLICE today revealed they are hunting a gang of teenage girls who are preying on

vulnerable elderly men and robbing them in their homes - then threatening their victims with false sex allegations to stop them reporting the crimes.

The girls, aged 15 to 19, are believed to be operating in the Nelson and Brierfield area.

Police said that they are talking their way into the houses of male pensioners, stealing from them, then threatening to report false claims of illegal under-age sex to the police if they report the incident.

In the most recent reported case, on Friday afternoon, two white females knocked on the door of a man in his 80s.

He let them in when they asked for a drink of water, they then searched his house, stealing items including his pension book, bank book and some cash.

When he challenged the girls one, who police believe may have been drunk, started to take off her clothes and offered him some form of sexual favour before leaving with the stolen goods.

Inspector Paul Robinson said: "We have had a number of incidents over the past 18 months where girls have stolen from elderly males and have then suggested that if they report it to the police they will claim the victim has been having illegal sex with them.

"This ploy is being used as a means of deterring elderly, vulnerable victims from reporting the theft."

He said they were unsure whether this ploy had been used in this latest case but they believe it is the same group of females responsible.

Inspector Robinson said: "In my opinion these young women are not strangers to the area. They know the area and where the elderly residents are to be found. In this case the victim has had the presence of mind to make a

complaint.

"We are appealing for anyone who sees two or more young women hanging about or knocking on the doors of elderly residents to alert us to that fact and for them to check on their elderly neighbours.

"We would also urge elderly people not to let strangers into their homes."