BURGLARS raided six homes in one town over the weekend – and police believe a gang could be responsible.

Officers are investigating the spate of incidents in Accrington where intruders broke into houses in Avenue Parade, Craven Street, Stanley Street, and Portland Street, as well as two properties in Whalley Road.

A PlayStation 3 was taken from Avenue Parade, while the Stanley Street residents lost a Freeview box.

A large amount of cash and jewellery was stolen from Craven Street, and shoes and sunglasses were among the items taken from Portland Street. A small amount of cash was taken from a Whalley Road address.

It comes as police are also investigating a second string of burglaries in the Longridge area, where five properties have been broken into over the past 10 days, three in the past week. Police said the spate of Accrington burglaries meant the county’s eastern division saw double the number of burglaries normally dealt with in a weekend.

Det Insp Eric Halford said: “There is nothing major about any of the burglaries, but to have six over one weekend is unusual.”

One of the Longridge burglaries took place in Houghton Road overnight on Saturday but nothing was taken, while intruders were disturbed in a house in Dilworth Lane at 7.10pm on Friday.

A third break-in occurred in Copster Drive between last Tuesday and Thursday. Costume jewellery was taken.

Officers believe the same person or people could be behind the recent spike in the number of break-ins, and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Det Insp Halford said: “We’re appealing for anyone who knows who is involved or knows where they are selling stuff or keeping the stuff.”

Anyone with information should contact Lancashire Police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.