BURGLARS struck at four houses in Malmesbury on Monday night, breaking into homes while residents lay sleeping in their beds.

Malmesbury police believe the same thieves were responsible for the burglaries, which resulted in the theft of hundreds of pounds in cash.

The first house was in the Maltings where thieves forced open a window on the ground floor, climbed into the house and stole a purse.

The second burglary took place in Athelstan Road. Again, a window was forced, but the noise disturbed a neighbour who saw a man near the forced window. The man ran off.

He was described as white, aged about 20, of average height and very slim, wearing a white baseball cap.

The third raid took place at a ground floor flat in Hudson Road, where an 80-year-old woman was sleeping.

The elderly woman victim was said to be particularly upset by the break in.

The raider reached through a small open kitchen window to open a larger one before climbing in and stealing two bags containing a mobile phone, watch and cash totalling £180.

The fourth burglary was at a bungalow in Cowbridge Crescent, where the thief climbed in through an open bedroom window just inches from where a man lay sleeping. A briefcase and bag containing £230 cash were stolen.