A STRING of commercial burglaries has been reported in Worcestershire as police step up patrols.

The 11 burglaries have taken place across Pershore and Evesham during the hours of darkness in the space of just 10 days.

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DI Dave Knight of South Worcestershire Proactive CID based at Worcester Police Station said there have been 11 burglaries in the past 10 days.

Worcester News: RESPONSE: DI Dave Knight and his team are carrying out the investigation RESPONSE: DI Dave Knight and his team are carrying out the investigation

DI Knight said: "We are currently investigating a series of commercial burglaries that have been happening in the Evesham and Pershore area of Wychavon during the hours of darkness.

"We have seen 11 offences over the past 10 days targeting a vast range of premises from community shops, garden centres to nationwide commercial enterprises. Property stolen includes electronic devices and cash.

"Our officers will be focusing their patrols in the area overnight in order to disrupt and intercept the offenders.

"We are also using CCTV and forensic opportunities to identify the offenders. We are keeping an open mind as to whether these are local offenders or not and whether we have one or more groups of offenders active.

"Anyone with any information as to who is committing these offences or handling any of the property stolen is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously via their website.

"Business crime inevitably hits the public in the pocket as companies need to make up for their losses and increasing insurance costs. We will all feel the effects of this type of criminality.

"We ask all commercial premises to review their security arrangements and contact police if they would like some advice in this area. We also have some useful tips on our website - Business crime prevention | West Mercia Police."