A SERIES of burglaries which took place in a village on the same day are believed to be linked, say police.

Officers are investigating a flurry of break-ins in Rainford, which took place on Friday (April 12).

Between 1am and 8.30am a Saab car was stolen in a burglary on Kendal Close.

The offenders entered a property and took a number of items including car keys.

The vehicle was recovered a short distance away in Bushey Lane after possibly having been used in another burglary.

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Meanwhile, a second burglary on Kendal Close was reported during the same night, in which a number of items were taken from a garage including a pedal bike and power tools.

Also, a report was received of an attempted burglary on Kendal Drive, at around 2am.

The home occupants witnessed two men in their garden before the offenders made off.

One man is described as white, between 25 and 40-years-old, around 5ft 9in, wearing black trousers, dark grey coat and a black baseball cap.

Forensic, witness and CCTV enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to come forward.

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Detective Inspector Stephen Ball said: “Due to the close proximity of these incidents, and mentions of a stolen car, we believe that they may be linked.

"We are carrying out extensive enquiries in relation to all of these incidents and will be acting on all information provided.

“If you saw anyone acting suspiciously in the Rainford area around Kendal Drive, Kendal Close and Bushby Lane, in the early hours of Friday, April 12, give us details either directly or via Crimestoppers, which is anonymous and completely independent of the police.

“These offences have taken place during a force-wide operation on burglary, Operation Castle, which has been seeing successes on a daily basis.

"Whenever burglaries take place, we are determined to find those responsible for such serious incidents and put them before the courts.

"If communities keep giving us information, we will continue to take positive action and continue to make the streets safer.”

  • Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 or @MerPolCC, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or email operation.castle@merseyside.pnn.police.uk