Balaclava-wearing burglars have targeted south Bucks homes during a recent spate of crimes which has also seen a number of cars stolen from driveways.

Thames Valley Police are now urging homeowners in Chiltern and South Bucks to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour following rise in burglaries over the last few weeks.

A number of these offences have involved vehicles being stolen off driveways after offenders have stolen car keys from the owner's home and, or where offenders have worn balaclavas/facial coverings and used crowbars (or similar) to commit a burglary.

A silver Porsche was stolen from an address in Stoke Poges at around 7pm on January 3 and three days later, a white BMW X6 with black wheels was stolen from an address in Farnham Royal sometime between 4.30pm and 11pm.

A Vauxhall Insignia was stolen from the driveway of a property in Farnham Common in the early hours of January 7 and in the early hours of January 15 an orange BMW was stolen from Iver Heath.

Similar offences have also been reported in neighbouring police areas.

In crimes where the offenders have worn balaclavas/facial coverings, at least four of these incidents were reported to police before Christmas and six others have occurred since the New Year.

Offences include Wyats Covert, Denham, at 7.48pm on December 16; Ashcroft Road, Denham, on December 16; two offences in Hollybush Lane, Iver, between December 22 and December 23; Link Way, Denham, at 5.17pm on January 2; Doggetts Wood Lane, Chalfont St Giles, at around 7pm on January 3; Ashcroft Drive, Denham Green, at 7.44pm on January 4; Orchehill Rise, Gerrards Cross, on January 6; Brockhurst Road, Chesham, at 7.10pm on January 7; and White Lion Road, Amersham, at 7.30pm on January 7.

In some of these incidents the burglars were entering through insecure back doors after families were getting in from work. In cases, the offenders made off after being disturbed by the occupants.

Det Insp Nick Bell, head of CID for Chiltern and South Bucks, said: "Whilst I am urging residents to remain vigilant and to ensure that they are doing all they can to make sure that their property is left secure at all times, I would like to reassure the community that we have a number of inquiries and live investigations on-going with detectives, police officers and staff working to apprehend those responsible.

“Five people have been arrested and released on bail with conditions, pending further police inquiries.

He added: “A number of groups are believed responsible for the burglaries where balaclava/facial coverings are being worn, with some offenders travelling into the police area to commit crime.

“We continue to liaise and work with bordering police forces and police areas and actively run cross border police operations.

"Tackling burglary remains one of our top priorities in Chiltern and South Bucks and we will continue to actively pursue arrest and convict offenders.”

If you have information, contact police on 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org