POLICE are appealing to residents in Whitebirk and Intack to help them catch a team of burglars who are blitzing the area.

Detectives say at least 20 homes have been raided in the area around Accrington Road over the last two weeks.

During the weekend a total of six burglaries were reported to the police in the streets centred on Intack traffic lights.

Detectives believe a team of young burglars are behind it. The thieves have been breaking into the rear of houses and ransacking homes.

Most burglaries take place in the late afternoon and early evening and the raiders have been taking videos, televisions and games consoles. Two houses in Peroone Crescent were broken into over the weekend and in one incident an elderly woman disturbed the intruders.

Burglars escaped with £860 worth of property including a camcorder and a Canon camera from a house in Rutland Avenue and a mobile phone complete with charger was stolen from a property in nearby St Ives Road.

Detective Sergeant Rob Campbell, of Blackburn CID, said: "We are very concerned about the number of burglaries in the area.

"In each case there a number of similarities and we believe there are a group of youths acting together.

"Obviously we are warning people to take extra security precautions but we are also appealing for help.

"If anyone sees gangs of youths acting suspiciously in the area they should contact us as soon as possible."

People can either ring the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111 of Blackburn CID on 01254 51212.