POLICE are appealing to people who live in and around nursing homes to be vigilant after a string of break-ins.

Officers have issued descriptions of two men thought to have broken into at least two homes last weekend. They are also contacting nursing homes across Nelson and Brierfield to warn them to take extra safety precautions.

The first break-in happened at the Hulton care home in Halifax Road, Nelson, at 2am last Friday. A ground floor window was prised open and the intruders attempted to unscrew the hinges to give them easier access.

Police said one of them began kicking the front door to distract the attention of staff, whilst the other searched the building.

In another incident, which happened between midnight on Friday and 7.15am on Saturday, intruders entered Marsden Heights nursing and residential home, in Kings Causeway, Nelson, and made their way into an office.

A metal safe was found to have been tampered with and several envelopes containing money for residents were missing. Officers are also investigating possible reports of a break-in in Brierfield.

The intruders are described as white males aged between 17 and 20. One had his face partially covered with a scarf and hood and one is reported to have been riding a bike. Inspector Paul Robinson, of Nelson Police, said: "We are anxious that we have a group of individuals who are targeting these establishments.

Anyone with information about the incidents should call police on 01282 425001.