BURGLARIES have been reported in rural parts of Worcestershire, including two at neighbouring houses in Kempsey.

In total five burglaries have been reported in Kempsey, Malvern and Evesham over the weekend.

Two happened in Old Vicarage Close in Kempsey and are being treated by police as linked (crime references 468s111118 and 425s111118).

In both cases, at neighbouring homes, entry was forced which resulted in smashed windows and doors. A car key burglary happened at Northwick Place in Evesham overnight on Sunday.

A blue 2008 Nissan Micra (registration NC08 YVM) was stolen and has yet to be recovered.

A burglary happened at Fairwater Close in Evesham on Saturday (crime reference 667s101118). A further burglary was reported at Lower Howsell Road, Malvern where the home of an elderly woman was broken into. The door was described as having been 'kicked in' but it is not clear yet what has been stolen. The property was said to have been left in a 'mess' (crime reference 645s091118).

DI David Knight of West Mercia Police said: "Every year as the nights draw in we see an increase in burglaries at dwellings.

"I would ask people to review their security arrangements and buy timer lights.

"We have interviewed house burglars in the past and it's clear some of them will wait and see which houses are occupied and timer lights are a great way to suggest that someone is in."

Those with information about any of these burglaries can contact West Mercia Police on 101, quoting the relevant incident reference.