OFFENDERS at two burglaries in Evesham and Pershore were disturbed at the scenes of the crimes but made it away with cash, jewellery and MP3 players.

Both happened on Tuesday, February 4, but the owner of the house in Greenhill, Evesham, came back home at 6.15pm to discover someone in his kitchen.

After a brief confrontation the intruder escaped through a smashed rear patio door along with two other men who had been in the property. The first offender was described as white and wearing dark clothing, all three intruders had their faces covered and fled the scene in a dark saloon car.

An MP3 player, engraved jewellery of a sentimental nature and a jewellery box was taken.

The Pershore burglary happened between 4.40pm and 6.20pm in Old Manor Close. A door to a utility room was forced and an MP3 player, jewellery and cash were stolen. It is believed the offenders were also disturbed as other items were left in the garden.

Detective Constable Alistair Mulcaster of Worcester CID said there was cause to believe the incidents, which left the households shaken, were linked.

He said: “Thankfully no significant threat of violence was used in the Evesham burglary and it appears the last thing the three men wanted was to be disturbed.

“Both crime scenes have undergone forensic examination and evidence suggests they may be linked. If you have any information regarding either burglary or you saw any suspicious activity in the Greenhill or Old Manor Close areas, please contact the police."

DC Mulcaster can be contacted via the non-emergency police number 101 or information can be passed on anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

West Mercia Police introduced an interactive house on their website, westmercia.police.uk, to offer crime prevention advice and shows people how to enhance the security of their homes room by room.