FIVE village shops and post offices were raided by thieves who stole cash, alcohol and cigarettes, police said. 

Officers said between 7pm on Friday and 6.30am on Saturday, burglars broke into Wootton General Stores in Church Street, Wootton, through a front window.

Cash, cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol were taken.

Then between 7.30pm on Friday and 3.15am on Saturday, Kingham Village Stores in Church Street, Kingham, was targeted, but nothing was stolen.

At about midnight on Saturday, police said burglars got into the Post Office in Molyneux Drive, Bodicote, near Banbury, and stole cash.

Also at about midnight on Saturday, a window at the Post Office in Glympton was smashed  but nothing was stolen.

Finally, at roughly 12.50am, Cafe de la Post in Chadlington was broken into, and cigarettes and scratch cards were stolen.

PC Adam Taylor said: "The offenders used some form of implement to force open doors and windows to gain access to steal items.

"We believe these incidents may be linked.

"I urge everyone to be vigilant around their village stores and insist that all village store owners make sure they set the alarm system and maximise any security items they have available to secure doors and windows."

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