Asian gold has been targeted in 28 linked burglaries across Cambridgeshire.

Police are investigating the crimes that began at the end of January and have seen intruders forcing rear doors or windows and ransacking the properties to steal jewellery and cash.

Detective Constable Cheryl Harris said: “The burglars appear to be specifically after gold and expensive jewellery so we would urge people to check their home security and take any precautions they can, such as photographing valuable items.

“The force is prioritising burglary as part of Operation Hunter, which aims to reduce the number of crimes through prevention work and catching and putting offenders before the courts.

“Burglary is a priority for the force and we are using all tactics available to us to catch those responsible.

“We have made arrests and are following up a number of lines of inquiry but we also need the public to do their part and report anything that appears suspicious.”

Detectives believe one group of people is behind the offences.

The offences were between January 19 and February 24 in Willingham, Cottenham, Huntingdon, St Ives, Cambridge, Milton, Orchard Park, Oakington, Hardwick and Histon.

Three men have been arrested in connection with the burglaries and a 14-year-old boy has been charged with burglary and appeared at Huntingdon Youth Court on March 30.

Residents are urged to:

• Keep doors and windows closed and locked or in a ventilated but locked position, even when they are inside the house.

• Check and lock doors with a key

• Remove keys from window and door locks, but keep them in a familiar and safe place where all members of the family know where to find them in the event of an emergency.

• Never leave items like keys, bags, presents and money on show through a window.

• Consider the position of key racks or shelves next to a door and ensure that they cannot be reached through the letter box.

• Use timer switches to turn on lights and radios when you are going to be away from your house at dusk.

• Consider lights at the front and rear of your property that are activated when someone approaches.

• Consider bolts and padlocks on side gates. Place the bolts at the top, middle and bottom of the gate, as just a top bolt might be easy to reach and open.

• A visible intruder alarm box can prove to be one of the biggest deterrents to an opportunist burglar.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Four males have been arrested in connection with the burglaries - a 19 year old, 26 year old and a 14 year old from Cottenham and an 18 year old of no fixed abode.