THREE more house burglaries have taken place in Worcester in a single night as police step up patrols to tackle the devastating raids.

The burglaries took place in Bevere Close, Kingston Avenue and Grange Avenue, all in the WR3 postcode area, between 4pm and 10.30pm last night (Tuesday).

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The burglars gained entry by smashing through windows at the rear and forcing doors.

"We suspect they may be local but are keeping our options open," said DI Dave Knight of Worcestershire Proactive CID.

In the meantime, he has urged homeowners to invest in timer lights as the dark nights draw in to deter burglars.

However, he says West Mercia Police will also be stepping up patrols in response after success in catching a series of burglars in recent months, some of whom have been handed significant jail sentences.

West Mercia has a South Worcestershire Proactive CID Burglary Team, set up specifically to tackle this type of crime.

DI Knight said: "Timer lights are really important. The public will see more officers than usual as we focus our patrols in the area." 

The raids follow other burglaries last week when three homes were attacked in just a few hours at Aconbury Close and Trent Road, both off Newtown Road in Ronkswood, and Meadow Road off Cornmeadow Lane, Claines, near Worcester.

During those raids cash and jewellery were taken as police work to identify and recover the items taken and calculate the value of the loss which, in the case of sentimental items, can be difficult to quantify.

The raiders smashed patio windows during the burglaries at Aconbury Close and Trent Road and a patio window and dining room window at Meadow Road.

DI Dave Knight of South Worcestershire Proactive CID said: "Burglars become more active in the winter purely because of the light issue showing houses that are obviously empty. Please keep an eye out for anything suspicious.

"The South Worcestershire Proactive CID Burglary Team are committed to limiting the amount of time burglars spend out in the community and work together with other police departments and partner agencies to get these offenders locked up."

DI Knight said he was aware of victims who had moved out of the county because of the impact of a burglary. "We will work tirelessly to identify and bring burglars to justice which, for us, is getting them to prison," he said.

People should call 999 if a crime is taking place, and 101 with any information about who may be committing these offences.

Crime stoppers can also be contacted anonymously online or via telephone 0800 555111.