POLICE are appealing for information in relation to a number of burglaries and thefts in counties Fermanagh, Tyrone and Londonderry that they believe could be connected.

Detective Inspector Trevor Stevenson said: “We are very interested to talk to three to four males who have been seen in the area in a southern-registered, black Audi car. We believe they could help us with our enquiries into a number of incidents this week in the Tempo, Omagh and Derry areas.

“Just after 3pm on Tuesday, March 7, we received a report that a house had been ransacked and a shotgun stolen in the Glengesh Road area of Tempo.

“An hour later, a burglary in the Glencam Road area of Omagh was reported to police. At around 4.30pm, a robbery was reported in the Glen Park Road area of Omagh, during which a homeowner was assaulted with an iron bar.

“That same evening, between 6.30pm and 9.30pm, there were a further two burglaries in Derry/Londonderry - in the Sutton Grove and Lyndhurst Road areas of the city. In each location, a house was broken into, ransacked and items of value stolen.”

The detective said there were similarities to how all the break-ins and burglaries had been carried out.

He said: “In a number of these locations, witnesses have told us they have seen a group of three to four men acting suspiciously.

“They are described as being of medium build, wearing jeans and with their faces covered by baseball caps, scarves or balaclavas.”

Detective Inspector Stevenson appealed to anyone with information that could be of assistance to police to contact the non-emergency number 101, quoting the reference number 780 of 7/3/17.

“Alternatively, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111,” he added.