TWO arrests have now been made over burglaries in which shotguns and rifles were stolen at isolated rural homes, including raids on elderly people.

A string of burglaries at remote, rural parts of Worcestershire and Herefordshire, including at Lower Broadheath and Clifton-upon-Teme, have now been reported. 

Cash, jewellery and guns have been stolen in various burglaries between January 30 and February 2. During some of the burglaries, elderly victims were at home.

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READ MORE: Two shotguns stolen from Mamble, near Great Witley 

A 31-year-old man from Stourport and a 35-year-old man from Kidderminster have now been arrested on suspicion of burglary.

DI Dave Knight of South Worcestershire Proactive CID, based at Worcester Police Station, confirmed that the suspects had been arrested in connection with the burglaries which involved the theft of guns.

DI Knight said these burglaries had since fallen off but urged anyone who had information about the whereabouts of the stolen guns to get in touch with West Mercia Police as soon as possible.

"A search to recover the guns is ongoing. Anyone with information is advised to contact us," he said.

He also wished to remind the public that buying stolen items, guns or otherwise, was a criminal offence in itself. "If it seems too good to be true it probably is," he said.

Two shotguns were stolen from a property in Mamble, near Great Witley, north west of Worcester last Wednesday.

The burglary came just two days after air rifles were taken following another raid in Clifton-upon-Teme and a third break-in at Lower Broadheath.

All these burglaries are now being linked by West Mercia Police during the 'fast-moving investigation'.

The house in Mamble was occupied when the burglars walked in and stole the shotguns.

He said: "These offenders are targeting isolated properties in the Herefordshire and Worcestershire area. This is a fast-moving investigation being led by South Worcestershire Proactive CID. We will not rest until we have bought these offenders to justice."

A home was raided in Old Road, Clifton-upon-Teme, in the early hours of Tuesday, January 31. Two rifles and a motocross bike were stolen after burglars broke in through a window in the home which was not occupied at the time.

A further raid at Lower Broadheath also took place on January 31.

The guns stolen have been identified as a .22 BSA air rifle and a .177 AirMaster which is an additional concern to West Mercia Police because they could be used in other crimes.

Police have made 23 burglary arrests since the start of this year in South Worcestershire alone with burglary identified as one of the top priorities for the force. 

To help continue to make arrests, a senior detective has repeated calls to the public to dial 999 immediately in the event of a burglary in progress so resources can be deployed as swiftly as possible to the scene.

This increases the chances of apprehending suspects. Homeowners are also urged to secure CCTV, where possible, to provide further evidence and help identify the culprits and make convictions more likely.