Two burglaries in Fritwell and Ardley, near Bicester, are believed to be linked.

The first took place at a property in Paddocks Road, Ardley, overnight between 5pm on Tuesday February 19 and 8am on Wednesday February 20. A window was forced and after a quick search nothing stolen.

The second burglary happened in Forge Place, Fritwell, sometime between 11am on Sunday February 17 and 9.30am on Thursday February 21 while the occupants were away.

Again a rear window was forced open and the thief undertook an untidy search but it is still not confirmed whether anything was taken.

There was also an attempted burglary in Mere Road, Finmere, at around 4.45pm on Thursday February 21 which also may be linked. Two men approached the house and the side gate lock was broken off.

One man went to the front door and rang thr doorbell whilst the other walked around to the rear and looked in the window.

The homeowner was still in the house and shouted out that he was going to call the police so the men ran to a waiting car and escaped.

The first man is white, 6ft, stocky, and was wearing a light-coloured hat with a peak at the front. The other is white, 5ft 8ins, in his late 20s or early 30s, stocky with a chubby face. He was wearing a light-coloured peaked hat and was wearing a workman's belt around his waist.

Det Con Samantha Burley said: "The close proximity of these two burglaries and other evidence means we are linking them. While they have shattered these residents' sense of security, we are glad nothing seems to have been stolen.

"If someone is targeting the villages north of Bicester we want to catch them before they try again. That is why I am also appealing for witnesses to this other incident, which may also be linked. It is unclear if these men were burglars assessing if the property was empty, or actually distraction burglars thinking of conning the resident. Either way it is obvious they were intent on committing a crime and we need to find them."

Anyone with information should contact police on 08458 505505 or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.