POLICE are warning affluent homeowners they could be at risk from thieves targeting high-performance cars.

Concerns have been raised after thieves made off with a BMW worth £32,000, jewellery worth thousands of pounds, as well as cash, credit cards and other items in Kidderminster and Blakedown.

Police say the three early morning break-ins could be linked. They all took place at large homes in affluent areas when the homeowners were in bed.

They fear such incidents in the future could result in the victims being injured.

In the first break-in, raiders forced rear patio doors of a house in Wannerton Road, Blakedown, before stealing bankbooks and the keys to the blue Mercedes ML320, registration W787 LHL, and a Saab.

The thieves then used the keys to move the Saab, enabling them to drive away the Mercedes.

At about the same time, a house in nearby Mill Lane was also broken into and expensive jewellery, worth several thousand pounds, plus cash was taken, together with a man's mountain bike from the garage.

Police believe a third incident, also in the early hours, at a detached house in Chester Road North, Kidderminster, may be linked.

Intruders escaped with cash, credit cards and a DVD player, although it is thought the offenders were hoping to find the keys to the owner's 4x4 Mercedes.

"We are investigating the possibility that all three incidents were linked," said a police spokesman.

"This sort of crime, involving the theft of high value cars, is becoming increasingly prevalent," he said.

"Because security is now so good on these vehicles, thieves have to break in and steal the keys.

"We are concerned these type of burglaries, committed when the homeowners are in, could lead to a nasty confrontation and a serious incident."