POLICE are appealing for information after two burglaries in Malvern and a third in Evesham and have increased patrols as a result.

A property in Somers Road, Malvern was raided on Friday and another in Graham Road on Sunday.

The burglar or burglars gained access through the front door during the burglary in Somers Road and there was evidence of ransacking. It has yet to be established whether anything was stolen.

During the burglary in Graham Road the burglar or burglars gained entry through a rear window which was forced. An assessment is still being made of what has been stolen.

A third burglary happened in Ash Grove, Evesham on Saturday morning where a quantity of cash was stolen from the kitchen. In this instance the doors were not locked.

Police advice remains to keep doors locked when you leave the house but potentially to do so when you remain inside to prevent opportunists attempting to get in.

DI David Knight of West Mercia Police said: "Uniformed officers are going to increase patrols in the Malvern area. I would ask anyone local if they saw anything suspicious in the last week, or if they do see anything suspicious, to give us a call.

"If they see a burglary in progress they should call 999 and for all other reports, call 101."

He added: "South Worcestershire is a particularly safe place to live. Malvern sees fewer house burglaries than elsewhere in the country so it's easy to recognise an emerging trend such as this.

"Burglars will sit up in a street at dusk and target those houses were the lights don't come on."

DI Knight said timer lights and working burglar alarms can act as a deterrent.

If you have information about these burglaries police can be contacted through the non-emergency 101 number.

To give information about the Somers Road burglary quote reference 643s060418. For the Graham Road burglary quote reference 0807s080418. For the Ash Grove burglary quote reference 146s080418.