POLICE say there has been a "significant increase" in calls to the police about a spate of local burglaries, following reports in the Ledbury Reporter.

Because of this, the man who was photographed in Homend Crescent has now been identified and ruled out of police enquiries, because he had "a legitimate reason for being there".

Other photographs have since been submitted to the police, of different men; although one man,  a rambler who was making maps in Bank Crescent, Ledbury, recognised himself in the photograph released by police and has now, also, been ruled out of police enquiries.

DC Laurence James  said: "The response to the recent media releases in The Ledbury Reporter has seen a significant increase in calls made to police, and people being more vigilant in the areas in which they live."

Since the end of September, there have been 12 burglaries in Ledbury alone, including one this week, and several more in the Colwall area.

Police are still keen to trace a  man who was seen in Redland Drive, Colwall, on Friday, December 12, and later he was photographed waiting for the Hereford train at the station, at around 2.20pm.

He had been followed to the station by suspicious members of the public.

This man was described as being aged 30 to40 years old and of stocky build and he was approximately 5'10" tall with short dark hair.

He was wearing dark blue jeans, dark grey hooded jacket and black trainers.

DC James said: "When was asked what he was doing and he replied he was lost and looking for a building site. When challenged the male became annoyed because he was being followed.

"The male did go off in the direction of a building site before walking to the train station."

Police are urging the public to continue to be vigilant and if they see anything suspicious to call police on the 101 number, if it is not an emergency.

And anyone with information in relation to either of the unknown males or any other information regarding the recent burglaries should contact Detective Constable 3312 Laurence James at Hereford Proactive CID on 101, ext 4569.