JEWELLERY was stolen in two burglaries in Ledbury, and police are not ruling out the raids being linked to a devastating spate which hit the town during the winter months.

Cash was also stolen from a property in Arrow View, after thieves smashed a window to gain access to the house.

It happened between 11.30am on Monday, August 3 and 9am on Sunday, August 9.

The second took place in Knapp Lane.

Once the offender had obtained the jewellery, its box had been dumped in a rear garden of an address in Newbury Park.

Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

He is described as being between 18 and 35 years old, and was wearing a long sleeved light coloured top with a dark coloured short sleeved top, light coloured trousers and white footwear.

The burglary happened between 2.30am and 2.40am on Friday, August 7.

A police spokeswoman says the force is urging the public to be vigilant and report anything that is felt to be suspicious.

Between September and February last year, 20 linked raids were carried out on properties in Colwall and Ledbury.

The crime wave became so severe that the police held a public meeting in the town's Market House on Monday, January 16.

At this meeting, it was confirmed by Detective Inspector Martyn Barnes that professionals were behind the raids and would check out properties two or three times before striking.

Regarding the linking of the two recent burglaries, a police spokeswoman said: "It's too early to say whether they are linked to the winter spate or not, at this stage."

Anyone with information into any of the burglaries is asked to call 101.