Gold jewellery and pre-decimal coins have been stolen during a spate of three burglaries within 24 hours in Hitchin.

The break-ins happened between 9pm on Wednesday and 3.45pm on Thursday last week.

First, in Periwinkle Lane, someone entered a bungalow through a side window at some point between 9pm on Wednesday and 7.15am the next morning.

Nothing was taken, and the intruders left in an unknown direction.

Then, between 10.20am and 1.45pm on Thursday, someone gained access to a home through an insecure rear window, then made off with stolen jewellery and coins.

The stolen items are three brooches with coloured stones, 20 threepenny bits, a gold band ring with three diamonds set on it, and a gold locket.

Finally, between 2.45pm and 3.45pm in Ninesprings Way, someone entered a property undergoing renovation work and stole a necklace, a platinum ring, a gold chain and earphones.

A force spokeswoman said police were “currently keeping an open mind regarding whether these burglaries are linked”.

Anyone with information that could assist police enquiries should contact police on 101 or contacthertspolice.uk/Report, quoting the relevant crime reference number: G1/17/2658 for Periwinkle Lane, G1/17/2661 for Brampton Park Road or G1/17/2664 for Ninesprings Way.

Alternatively, contact the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.