POLICE have issued an urgent warning to householders in Evesham and Pershore after three women were confronted by brazen burglars in their own homes in the space of just one hour.
The thieves appeared to be undeterred by the fact the houses were occupied - in one case they clambered through an open window to avoid a safety chain on the door.
South Worcestershire's top detective this week warned people to take extra care to protect their homes from intruders.
"It is impossible to make too much effort in safeguarding property whether anyone is at home or not," said Det Chief Insp Martin Lakeman, head of South Worcestershire CID.
"These three similar incidents clearly demonstrate how opportunist thieves were not deterred by the premises being occupied on each occasion.
"Fortunately no-one was injured but in each case access was gained because the premises were not secure - entry being made through open windows.
"Ironically the safety chain was on in one incident but an easily-accessible open downstairs window provided a comparatively effortless entry for these criminals.
"While ventilation is important, this should always be done with a careful eye on how it affects a property's security and vulnerability. If not safeguarded in some way, it is advisable for windows to remain closed," DCI Lakeman added.
The three incidents - the first in Pershore and the others in Evesham - occurred in the early evening of Saturday.
In the first case, an elderly Pershore woman found two men searching the bedroom of her home in Mayfield Road around 6.30pm. They left and she later discovered they had taken £500.
About 7.15pm the same day, a woman living in St Lawrence Road, Evesham came face to face with three men in the hallway of her home. They asked her for paracetamol before escaping with £100 cash.
In the third incident, a woman who confronted two men in the bedroom of her home in Elizabeth Road, Evesham, was told they were policemen. They left without taking anything.
Anyone who saw anything suspicious in any of the locations about the times of the raids is asked to contact police on 08457 444 888.
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