RESIDENTS in rural communities are being urged to be vigilant after thousands of pounds worth of jewellery was stolen from two homes in West Devon last week.

The burglaries took place at detached properties in the Lifton and Okehampton areas on Monday, April 22.

The thieves struck at an isolated property in Broadwoodwidger between 8.15am and 8.30am, getting in through a ground floor window. They made a tidy search of the premises before escaping with more than £3,000 worth of jewellery.

Among the stolen items were two gold wedding rings, a sapphire and diamond eternity ring, several sets of earrings, a gold cross and chain and a distinctive heart shaped pendant with burgundy stones.

On the same day, between 10.15am and 4.30pm, offenders entered a detached property in Merton, through a ground floor window. A large quantity of assorted jewellery and a small amount of cash was stolen.

PC Shaunaugh Rooney, from Bideford CID, said: 'The offenders are clearly after jewellery as they did not take any electrical items which were clearly on show.

'Residents in rural communities are advised to be vigilant and to report any sightings of suspicious vehicles or people around their homes to the police.

'We would ask people to ensure their properties are locked and secured, and that jewellery is kept in a secure place.'

Anyone with any information regarding these incidents is asked to call police on 101, quoting crime reference number T/13/216 or CH/13/213, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.