POLICE issued a warning after a gang burgled three houses in Banbury on the same evening.

In the first incident at about 6.30pm on Friday, the resident of a house in Ironsides, in the Hardwick area of Banbury, found three men in his home who had walked in through an insecure front door When confronted by the victim, the men said they were searching for their younger brother and left.

At about 8pm, three men forced the rear window to a house in Ayrshire Close, Highlands, but did not gain entry. They then forced the front door and searched the property before leaving empty-handed. When challenged by the resident, they said they were looking for a cat.

At 8.30pm the resident of a house in Sandford Green, Bretch Hill, saw three men in his back garden, who ran off when challenged. The next morning the victim noticed a rear window had been forced, although nothing was stolen.

The first man is white, aged between 18 and 20, stocky and about 5ft 8in with a chubby face. He has short ginger hair and was wearing a light jumper and trousers. The second man is Asian, in his mid-twenties, slim and around 5ft 10in. He has short black hair, a short beard and was wearing dark clothing. The third man is Asian, in his late teens or early twenties, slim and around 5ft 10in. He has short dark hair and was wearing dark clothing and gloves.

Det Con Jane May, of Banbury police, said: "These thieves are the lowest of criminals and they need to be caught before they cause misery for any other victims. I would urge anyone with any information or who recognises the description of the offenders to contact me.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to remind residents to be vigilant. It only takes a second for an opportunist burglar to enter your home so ensure all doors and windows are secure and don't let in anyone who calls at your home unexpectedly, no matter how plausible their story may be."