POLICE are warning residents to be vigilant following a spate of burglaries in less than 24 hours.

Two high performance cars valued at £40,000 are among the haul stolen in Shrewsbury.

They were taken when burglars discovered the keys after breaking into a home in High Street, Clive, while the owners were asleep.

The intruders forced a window and sets of keys for a black Audi RS4, registration number CX06 GNP and a black Audi S3, registration KW07 NXL were stolen during a search of downstairs rooms.

They made off in the two vehicles following the break-in between 11pm on August 10 and 3am on August 11.

Detective Inspector Mick Homden said: “We are anxious to hear from anyone who may have seen suspicious activity linked to this crime. Information is also being sought concerning the whereabouts of the stolen cars.”

He added the incident served as a reminder to people to keep their vehicle keys well hidden in the home at all times as a security precaution.

During the same night, a house was burgled in Sundorne, again while the occupants slept.

Between 3am and 9am on August 11 a thief sneaked into the home at The Parks, Sundorne, through the insecure back door.

Among the items stolen were 18 DVDs worth £280 – seven Harry Potter DVDs, three Lord of the Rings and eight James Bond.

Also taken were a Nintendo DS game console worth £120, a black leather purse containing bank cards and a blue and white mountain bike valued at £100 stolen from the garden. Later again, on the afternoon on August 11, a burglar ran off after being disturbed breaking into a house in Underdale Road.

The offender was inside the premises when one of the occupants arrived home at around 4pm.

He fled through the back door, dropping a holdall bag containing stolen property and ran off through the back gardens of adjoining properties.

Entry was gained by forcing a window and most of the rooms in the house were searched.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jamie Pender said: “It’s possible the offender was seen acting suspiciously near the house before breaking in and again as he fled empty-handed after being disturbed.

“I would appeal to anyone who thinks they may have spotted him, or has information concerning his identity, to contact me at Shrewsbury police station.”

The burglar is described as aged about 16 to 19 with short, black shaved hair. He was wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and a black jacket with Nike on the front.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said they could not say whether the incidents were linked or not, but said: “Officers do share intelligence and we will always look at any patterns and possible links.”

Police are urging people to make sure their doors and windows are secure.

Contact Shrewsbury Police Station or Shrewsbury CID on 0300 333 3000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.