POLICE have issued a warning after burglars targeted businesses in the South and Vale area.

The night-time strikes have hit premises in Uffington, Abingdon and Challow and are believed to have been carried out by the same thieves.

Thames Valley Police said they could be connected to crimes in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Hampshire.

Inspector Mark Harling, deputy local police area commander for South and Vale, said: “We believe these offences are part of a broader series of offences that have been occurring in other parts of the Thames Valley and in other force areas. The criminals seem to be targeting commercial premises in remote areas, including industrial units and fast food outlets.

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“The investigation into these offences is ongoing, with a number of detectives working on the enquiry and liaising with surrounding police forces.

“Additional patrols have been allocated to the area and will continue until the offenders are identified.”

The three recent burglaries in South and Vale were at Uffington’s Post Office in Broad Street on October 16, the Marcham Road Tesco in Abingdon on October 17 and at Sweet Fuels Ltf in Challow on October 21.

Insp Harling said: “It is believed that the offenders are visiting the attacked premises prior to the offences occurring in order to plan the burglary.

“We would therefore ask business owners to be vigilant and report any suspicious incidents or visitors.”

The offenders could have access to a “four-by-four style” vehicles, he said.

Two such vehicles have been seen travelling away from crime scenes in convoy after previous incidents.

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