AN operation has been launched by police after a string of burglaries in and around Pershore over the past month.

There have been seven break-ins in Pershore, Drakes Broughton and Wyre Piddle since November 5. Detectives say they are concerned about the spike in incidents and, believing they are connected, have launched an anti-burglary initiative to bring them to a swift halt.

Detective Inspector Richard Rees, of Worcester CID’s Proactive team, which investigates burglaries, is calling on the public to be on the lookout for thieves over the festive season.

He said: “Seven burglaries in a quiet area such as Pershore in recent weeks is a concern and this series is our main focus at the moment.

“Some of the evidence we have suggests that more than one person is involved in these crimes, so I would like to ask residents to be on the look out for anyone behaving suspiciously or any suspicious vehicles in the area.”

The latest incidents occurred on Monday evening when two homes were broken into in Wyre Piddle. The neighbouring houses in Poplar Avenue were burglarised between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

Thieves took cash from the first house after making their way through an unsecured garden gate and forcing open a conservatory door. A fence panel was broken down as the thieves went into the garden of a neighbouring house.

The house’s patio doors were forced open and thieves searched the house. It is not clear yet what has been stolen.

It follows five other break-ins thought to be connected, which began in Croome Close, Drakes Broughton, on November 5, when cash and jewellery was stolen.

Patio doors were forced on a house in Walcot Lane, Drakes Broughton, on November 28 and a 40in Samsung television was stolen.

The same day thieves took cash from a house on Loughmill Road, Pershore, and also broke into a house in Bedford Close. Thieves left empty handed despite a search of the house.

Jewellery and money was also taken between December 5 and 6 at a home on Sheldon Close, Pershore.

To report suspicious activity, call police on the non-emergency number 101.