POLICE are asking Cotswolds residents to be on the alert following a spike in burglaries in the area.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: "We are getting an increase in burglaries in the Cotswold area and we are asking the public to report instances where unwanted or strange requests are made by callers at villages in that area.

"We are hoping to get details of vehicles and descriptions. We would like to encourage the reporting of suspicious callers or vehicles. If they speak to people at the door that have arrived without invitation, then call police."

More than 30 villages and towns have been targeted recently including Chipping Campden, Naunton, Stow, Upper Swell, Fossebridge, Mickleton, Bourton on the Hill, Bourton on the Water, Moreton, Draycott, Windrush, Oddington, Willersey, Weston-sub-Edge, Todenham and Guiting Power.

Anyone who sees anything suspicious or has any information regarding these or other crimes, call 101 or email 101@gloucestershire.police.uk