A SERIES of burglaries in rural West Oxfordshire have seen gold jewellery, silverware and cash stolen from homes in the daylight hours.

The crimes have happened in villages and isolated homes in the country since early September.

Police said criminals had gained entry to homes by forcing open rear or side windows or patio doors using a metal tool.

Burglaries have happened in Filkins, Broadwell, Kingham, Great Rollright, Burford, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Charlbury, Kingham Hill, Bladon, Eynsham, Middle Barton, Woodstock, High Cogges and Witney.

Det Insp Dick White, from Witney police station, said: “Although West Oxfordshire is a low crime area, this series of burglaries shows that the local community should remain vigilant.

“We ask people to make sure that they take precautions to protect their homes. We are taking these burglaries very seriously indeed.

“We are asking outdoor workers such as postmen, council workers and health visitors working in their regular rounds in villages and rural areas to report any new, irregular or strange behaviour, or if you notice a vehicle parked in a strange place to report it to us no matter how insignificant it may seem.”

Anyone with details should call police on 101.