BURGLARS brandished a fire extinguisher at concerned residents during a series of incidents in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Police have issued an appeal following the incidents, which all took place within an hour of each other.

At 3.15am on Thursday, the Post Office in Broad Street, Uffington, was broken into, with cigarettes, tobacco and cash stolen.

Burglars gained entry by smashing the glass and left the scene in a vehicle.

About five minutes later, four men were disturbed by a resident while hanging around a parked car in Marlborough Close, Faringdon, but left the scene in a grey Audi A6 estate car with a loud engine.

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At about 3.45am, burglars forced open the door of the Post Office in Market Square, Bampton, stealing cigarettes and cash.

This activated the alarm and alerted residents nearby, with the burglars attempting to use a fire extinguisher at witnesses before leaving in a vehicle.

Lastly, at 4.10am, cigarettes and cash were also stolen from a post office in St Michael's Close, Shipton Under Wychwood, after burglars forced entry.

The offenders were all wearing dark clothing with their faces covered.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Timothy Hawley based at Banbury police station, said: “I believe that these incidents are linked.

“If anyone has any CCTV footage from the time of the offences or thinks they saw anything suspicious around the time, please contact the 24-hour non-emergency number 101, quoting 43190235460 or make a report online.

“If you don’t wish to speak directly with police, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.”