POLICE are linking two burglaries on the same road that took place within hours of each other. In the first, thieves sneaked in through an unlocked front door of a house and took personal items including two purses.

Police believe the thieves then entered the rear garden of another house, using a screwdriver to remove a double glazed kitchen window before making off with a mobile phone, jewellery and the keys to a red 51 registered Skoda Octavia worth £15,000 which they then drove off in.

Police have not yet recovered the vehicle. The incidents, in Ashtrees, Mawdesley, occurred on Wednesday, January 7, between 1pm and 8pm. Anyone with information about either incident should call Coppull CID on 01257 246101.