Police are linking four burglaries in which intruders broke patio doors to gain access and stole jewellery.

The string of burglaries are all reported to have happened during the morning or early afternoon of Friday, October 13 in the Minnis Bay area of Birchington.

Intruders stole a number of items of gold and silver jewellery and a red leather jewellery box from a house in Grenham Bay Avenue.

Gold necklaces, a Canon camera and a Dyson handheld vacuum cleaner were taken from another house in the same avenue.

Burglars stole pearl earrings, gold rings and a black and red leather purse from a house in nearby Sea View Avenue, and approximately 15 rings were stolen from a house in St Mildred’s Avenue.

Detective Sergeant Collins urged people to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

She said: "We have been carrying out house-to-house inquiries and are following up a number of other lines of enquiry.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and saw any suspicious people or vehicles. We would also like to hear from anyone who has been offered items of jewellery for sale.

"A number of the victims were elderly and many of the stolen pieces were of great sentimental value and, in some cases, irreplaceable.

"We are keen to catch the offenders."

If you can help, phone police on 01843 222289 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference number ZY/49618/17.