POLICE are trying to trace a white Ford Escort about ten years old in connection with a spate of thefts from vehicles in the Marlborough and Pewsey areas on Saturday.

Three vehicles in the car park in West Woods at Lockeridge were broken into on Saturday between 4pm and 5pm.

A window was smashed on a Mercedes estate car but nothing was taken, a window was broken on a Peugeot 306 and a handbag stolen, and a door was forced on a Citroen and a handbag and its contents were removed.

It is believed the same thieves were responsible for breaking into a Ford Mondeo parked near the Crown Hotel in Everleigh between 5pm and 6pm and forcing a door lock on a Land Rover at Honeystreet.

Sgt Steve McGrath said police had received information that a white Ford Escort had been seen in suspicious circumstances in the vicinity of one of the car break-ins.

Police would like to hear from anyone who saw a Mark V Ford Escort with its occupants acting suspiciously near parked and unattended cars in the Kennet Valley or Pewsey Vale on Saturday or at any other time.

Anyone with information should contact Sgt McGrath or PC Bachelor at Marlborough police station on (01672) 512311.