POLICE have warned pub bosses in the Evesham area to make sure their living quarters are secure after a spate of thefts netted thousands of pounds for burglars during a two-day spree at the weekend.

One pub in Broadway was targeted twice in two days and more than £2,000 was stolen.

Now detectives are investigating possible links between the raids and a series of similar attacks in Herefordshire over the past few weeks.

Police spokesman Richard Bull said: "These offences demonstrate the possible vulnerability of the private quarters and offices of some licensed premises.

"Unfortunately, there may be a number of other pubs that could be targeted using the same methods that have been used.

"We would, therefore, urge publicans to critically review their security immediately in order to help prevent further offences.

"We would also encourage them not to keep large amounts of cash on their premises and to bank more often, particularly during the run-in to and during Christmas and the New Year, when takings are expected to be higher."

Thieves struck at the Old Oak in Drakes Broughton between 5pm on Saturday and 4pm on Sunday when they escaped with £1,700.

Between 7.30pm and 9.15pm, £1,400 was stolen from the Bear Hotel in Port Street, Evesham.

The Horse and Hounds in High Street, Broadway, was hit twice over the weekend. In the first incident, between 8.45pm and midnight on Saturday, thieves escaped with £700 and on Sunday, between 3.45pm and 4.20pm, another £1,600 was taken.

The Bell Inn, in Evesham Road, Cropthorne, was attacked between 10.30pm and ten past midnight on Saturday. More than £500 cash and a quantity of jewellery was stolen.

Police believe the raids were linked to another at the Mount Pleasant Inn in London Road, Worcester, between 9pm on Saturday and 9am on Sunday when keys were taken.

South Worcestershire police have appealed to anyone who was near the five pubs during the times in question to contact them if they saw or heard anything suspicious.