POLICE chiefs have tried to calm the fears of Kilwinning residents after three elderly ladies were burgled in the space of an hour.

Last week the Times revealed that three women, aged 80, 79 and 70 have been targeted by a serial burglar between 5am and 6am on Friday, March 30.

The callous thief snuck into sheltered housing complex, Robert Service Court in the Blacklands and raided the homes of the pensioners, swiping more than £300-worth of goods and cash.

The crimes have struck fear in to residents across Kilwinning who fear that the triple burglary may be part of a wide spate of home invasion crimes.

This week Community Inspector Colin Convery reassured Kilwinning residents that the crime was opportunistic and not part of a wider issue. He said: “Inquiries are still ongoing in to the burglaries at Robert Service Court.

In terms of wider issues, we are not aware of anything or any spates of burglaries or similar types of incident.

“On this occasion we are led to believe the burglar was able to access all three properties due to unsecured doors.

“We would, of course encourage people to lock all doors and make sure their property is secure.”

Police have issued a description of the fiend in the hopes that someone will come forward to identify him. He is described as a white, Scottish man in his late 20s.

He was wearing dark clothing and was clean shaven. Police are still appealing for information to catch the burglar.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.