THOUSANDS of pounds of jewellery was stolen after two houses in south Worcestershire were broken into on Thursday, May 1.

The first incident happened at a house in Drakes Bridge Road, Eckington, near Pershore between 8.30am and 3.30pm.

Thieves broke into the building by smashing a window in a French door and opening it from the inside, carrying out a thorough search of the property and stealing an unknown amount of jewellery.

A 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with the break-in and has since been released on bail.

The second burglary took place in Old North Road, Kempsey, between midday and 2.30pm the same day when thieves used a tool of some sort to force open a rear door.

They searched a number of rooms and stole a several thousands of pounds worth of jewellery including a gold ring with a silver pearl, a ladies gold watch on a gold chain, a gold chain with green stones along it at two inch intervals and an opal bracelet with a solid gold band.

Police believe the burglaries may be linked and have appealed for anyone with any information to contact them.

Officers would particularly like to hear from anyone who saw a small blue car – possibly a Fiat – with learner plates in the vicinity of either of the two properties last Thursday.

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting incident number 404-s-010514 or 351-s-010514.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.