TWO pensioners suffered vicious attacks by thieves who pinned their victims to the ground before making off with cash.

In both incidents, the elderly victims were pushed over and restrained by two men who made off with at total of more than £1,100.

Detectives, who are investigating links between the thefts, have warned pensioners to lock their doors and windows as the attackers could be deliberately targeting the elderly.

In the first burglary, an 87-year-old man was shoved on to a chair and brutally held down by the wrists at his home in Suffield Road, High Wycombe.

Thieves forced their way into the pensioner's home through a back door at about 8.15pm last Wednesday before making off with just £20 of his savings.

A day later, a 77-year-old woman, of Shepherds Close, Beaconsfield, had £1,140 stolen from her purse after she was bundled on to the floor and held down in the same way between 1pm and 2.35pm. The offenders got into the house through an insecure front door.

Alan Page, of campaign group Pensioners' Voice, said: "We absolutely deplore this kind of attack on defenceless and vulnerable people. Every time our monthly meeting comes around I urge the elderly not to open their doors and keep visitors on the door restraining chain.

"This type of cowardly attack is fairly infrequent but they will always catch the headlines because of the horrific nature of the crimes."

Kate Spark, spokesman for Thames Valley Police, added: "It beggars belief that people will stoop so low as to prey on the elderly in this way. We would advise elderly residents to keep doors and windows as secure as possible. We would also urge pensioners not to keep large sums of cash in the house."

Both offenders in the incidents were white, in their early 20s, with short dark hair. One man involved in the Beaconsfield burglary was wearing black and red striped tracksuit trousers.

Witnesses should call DC Mark Darnborough at High Wycombe CID on 01494 465888