Police today appealed for witnesses following a series of burglaries in south Oxfordshire.

Two properties were targeted in Pauls Way, Watlington, on Tuesday, December 14.

Sometime between 10pm on Tuesday and 5am on Wednesday, burglars entered a house via an open back door and stole jewellery, a sat nav, credit cars, and £100 in cash from a 65-year-old man.

Burglars also attempted to break into the house of a 78-year-old woman while she was watching television at about 10.30pm on Tuesday. They tried to open her patio window but a rear security light activated and scared them off.

A house in Chapel Street, Watlington, was also entered on Wednesday via an unlocked rear window, possibly around the same time.

Thieves stole keys, bank cards, a driving licence, a sports bag and £300 from the house of a 64-year-old man.

PC Matthew Hammersley, of the Priority Crime Team, said: “These three incidents are almost certainly linked due to the similar methods used and the locations where they took place.

"They have taken advantage of insecure properties, so I urge all residents of Watlington to be on their guard. Be sure to lock your windows and doors.

Other houses in south Oxfordshire have also been targeted.

On Tuesday, thieves entered a house in Clare by forcing the front door open. They stole a laptop from the house of a 44-year-old woman.

On Friday, a house in Chiltern View, Little Milton, was burgled by thieves, who forced open the rear kitchen window.

They stole two laptops, an LCD television and a Blu-ray player from the house of a 48-year-old woman.

PC Hammersley added: “We believe there are two patterns emerging here, this series of burglaries being the second.

"Being isolated communities, it may be quite easy for residents to become complacent and leave their doors and windows unlocked.

"I really want to get the message across that it is essential you lock your doors and windows at all times.”

If you have any information regarding these incidents, please contact Thames Valley Police via the 24-hour non-emergency number; 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police or give your name, please call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.