A gang of thieves has netted up to £50,000 worth of jewellery, cash, cars and other items in daylight and early evening burglaries around west Oxfordshire in just over two weeks.

Police said they were certain the thieves had come from outside the district and were working together to target properties where it looked like no-one was home.

Homes in Witney, Eynsham, Charlbury and surrounding villages have been hit. Several in Kidlington are also among the 18 properties to have been raided.

Area police commander Jack Malhi said: “We believe they all come from Oxfordshire, but are using the A40 corridor to come into this area for goods they can easily dispose of.

“They are opportunists, randomly looking for houses that look empty, then going in to get away with stuff that can give them quick bucks.

“If this was happening in Oxford, perhaps we wouldn’t bat an eyelid, but for it all to be happening in west Oxfordshire is quite extraordinary.”

The spate of burglaries started on October 26 and the last reported crimes were on November 11.

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505.