SENTIMENTAL watches and jewellery were snatched by thieves during a night of burglaries in the Five Valleys.

Four separate houses in Cainscross, Eastington, Forest Green and Uplands were broken into between 6pm and 10pm on the evening on Saturday December 3.

Police believe the incidents were linked and are warning other homeowners in the district not to leave their houses vulnerable.

The first incident occurred when thieves gained entry to a property in Forest Green, Nailsworth.

Jewellery and watches with a combined value of around £1000 were stolen.

The second home to be targeted was in Shepherds Croft, Uplands.

Here thieves stole a Boss watch with a brown leather strap worth £150. The especially engraved watch had been bought for the owner as a gift from his golf club.

A third incident took place in Eastington on the same night when burglars forced entry to a house in Swallow Croft.

The thieves stole a purse, several sets of car keys and several watches.

The last incident happened just before 10pm at a house in Cashes Green Road in Cainscross.

A family returned home to find thieves stealing presents from under their Christmas tree.

A police helicopter was called to the scene shortly after and a dog unit assisted officers in the search. Click here for more information on this burglary.

Police have warned vigilance and urged homeowners to make sure they leave lights on when they leave the house.

Sargeant Simon Laird of Stroud Police said: We believe these four burglaries were done by the same offenders.”

No arrests have yet been made and enquiries are ongoing.