POLICE have linked a series of 10 burglaries in West Oxfordshire in which cash, jewellery and vehicles were stolen.

The home break-ins happened between Monday, January 14 and Sunday, January 20, with entry gained in each case by the thief smashing a window or door.

Officers appealed for witnesses this afternoon and urged residents to come forward if they had seen anything or anyone suspicious.

Police said a dark hatchback, possibly a VW Golf, had been seen near some of the targeted homes.

Burglaries have taken place in Witney, Kingham, Charlbury, Enstone, Freeland, Minster Lovell and Over Norton, and stolen items include a BMW car and an Audi.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Steven Bates, based at Witney police station, said: "I am appealing for any witnesses who were in these areas at the time and may have seen or heard anything unusual.

"Anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage that could help our investigation should contact Thames Valley Police either online or call us on 101, quoting reference 43190019771."

Thames Valley Police released brief details of each burglary:

The first occurred on West End, Kingham sometime between Monday 14 January and Sunday (20/1). It is currently not known what has been stolen.

The second occurred on Fawler Road, Charlbury between 12pm on Thursday (17/1) and 5pm on Sunday (20/1). Window smashed at the rear of the property. Jewellery and cash stolen.

The third occurred on Main Street, Over Norton between 10am on Friday (18/1) and 7pm on Saturday (19/1). Window smashed at the rear of the property. Jewellery stolen.

The fourth occurred on Bicester Road, Enstone between 4.30pm and 4.50pm on Saturday (19/1). Window smashed at the rear of the property. It is currently not known what has been stolen.

The fifth occurred on Enstone Road, Charlbury between 3.30pm and 4.10pm on Saturday (19/1). Side window smashed and jewellery and cash stolen.

The sixth occurred on Mill Street, Witney between 7.30pm and 9.45pm on Saturday (19/1). Rear door smashed. Audi stolen from property.

The seventh occurred on Chestnut Close, Witney between 11.30am and 10.40pm on Saturday (19/1). Window smashed at the rear of the property. Jewellery and cash stolen.

The eighth occurred on Chestnut Close, Witney between 3.45pm and 11.40pm on Saturday (19/1). Offenders entered via top floor window. Jewellery was stolen.

The ninth occurred on Wroslyn Road, Freeland between 1.20pm and 3.45pm on Sunday (20/1). Window smashed at the rear of the property. Jewellery and cash stolen.

The 10th occurred on Burford Road, Minster Lovell between 1.30pm and 5pm on Sunday (20/1). Window smashed at the side of the property. BMW and jewellery stolen.

The force also published tips on how to avoid falling victim to burglars:

- When going out, remember to light up your home using timer switches or a TV simulator

- Don’t leave valuables or cash on display and store your house and car keys away from your letterbox

- Move bins away from any side gates to prevent easy access into your property

- Lock any tools away to prevent them being used to break into your home

- Consider fitting a motion-activated external light or installing a CCTV system

- Mark your valuables using a UV pen and register them on the national property register at immobilise.com

- If you see a burglary in progress, or a burglary has occurred very recently, report it by calling 999