AFFLUENT homeowners could be attacked by thieves targeting high-performance cars, police fear.

Police have voiced concern after thieves made off with a BMW worth £32,000, jewellery worth thousands of pounds, as well as cash, credit cards and other items during an early hours crime spree in Kidderminster and Blakedown.

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

They fear such incidents 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 bank books 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 between 2am and 7am last Thursday.

About the same time, between 11.20pm last Wednesday and 7.30am last Thursday, a house in nearby Mill Lane was also broken into and expensive jewellery worth several thousand pounds and cash was taken, together with a man's mountain bike from the garage.

Police believe a third incident, also in the early hours of Thursday, 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.

A Kidderminster police spokesman said: "We are investigating the concern all three incidents were linked. This sort of crime involving the theft of high value cars is getting very prevalent.

"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 which are committed when the homeowners are in could lead to a nasty confrontation and a serious incident."