TWO burglaries which saw Christmas presents stolen from homes in and around Evesham are being linked by police.

A new Sony Playstation 4 games console was taken from a home in Pitchers Hill, Wickhamford, between 7.45pm and midnight on Saturday after a French window was smashed to gain entry. A large amount of jewellery was also stolen along with some Louis Vuitton shoes, a Louis Vuitton handbag and a Chanel scarf and items of sentimental value.

Between 7.45pm and 10.15pm on the same evening, a house in Cheltenham Road, Evesham, was also broken into in similar fashion when a rear French window was smashed.

Two remote-controlled Porsche cars and about £30 in pound coins were stolen.

“Because these break-ins both took place at a similar time and the method of entry was the same, we are investigating whether these offences could be linked,” said Detective Constable Nicola Burgess from West Mercia Police. “It has been very upsetting for the residents at Wickhamford in particular to have lost so many sentimental items and newly bought and wrapped Christmas presents.

“So many items were taken in this offence that we believe whoever was responsible would have been using a vehicle, so we would like to appeal for any witnesses who saw any suspicious vehicles or other activity in Wickhamford or the Cheltenham Road to contact us.

“We would also be interested in any information relating to items which match descriptions given being sold locally or advertised for sale.” DC Burgess can be contacted on 101 quoting reference 18s 15/12/13.