A MYSTERY man with connections to Worcester is being sought by police following a £5,000 raid on a house in which jewellery and war medals were stolen.

Officers believe the man may have vital information on a burglary at a house in Copthorne Road, Shrewsbury.

He was captured on CCTV walking past the house and near to army barracks at about 1pm on November 12 – about the time jewellery worth more than £5,000 was stolen.

Police are now anxious to trace the man as he may have vital clues to assist their investigation.

PC Ben Docherty said: “We are appealing to him to come forward as he may be able to help the inquiry.

“We are also urging anyone else who can recognise him to get in touch by contacting the burglary unit at Shrewsbury police station by calling 101.

“He was passing by at about the time of the burglary, walking up Copthorne Road past the barracks towards the Beacon pub, and may have seen something which can help the investigation.

“We have made inquiries to try and identify him but he remains something of a mystery. However, we have reason to believe he may have connections with the Ludlow and Worcester areas.

“From the CCTV images he appears to be aged from 45 to 65, about six feet tall, of average build and a bald head.”

The break-in happened after a crow bar was stolen from the victim’s garden shed and used to force a back door.

Rooms were searched and items of jewellery stolen from a bedroom.

Among the items taken were Russian gold wedding rings, antique gold bracelets, brooches and earrings, diamond eternity and wedding rings, men’s gold tie pins and a diamond wedding ring, First World War medals and Air Combat Command cufflinks.

A Hewlett Packard notebook laptop and an iPod were also taken.

Information can also be passed on anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.