POLICE in Caernarfon are investigating after jewellery and cash were targeted during a spate of house burglaries in the Llanrug area.

Four houses were broken into overnight or during the hours of darkness via rear doors or conservatory windows.

The burglaries, which are being treated as "linked," happened in the general area of Llanrug and surrounding villages between December 13 and December 24.

In one case, a family’s home was broken into on Christmas Eve and expensive jewellery stolen.

One family has described the huge impact the break-in has had saying: “It is not the monetary value of the items stolen that upsets us, it is that someone has taken from our home items that are irreplaceable and mean so much to us.”

Police are appealing for information from anyone who has seen or heard anything relating to these offences, and in particular anyone that has been offered a bespoke diamond engagement ring, a Kohn and Sohn watch or a Tiffany Bracelet.

Investigating officer PC Bethany Clarke, at Caernarfon Police Station, said: “These are deplorable crimes that have a huge impact on the victims whatever the time of year, but to suffer such a personal loss over the Christmas period compounds that further.

"There will be members of the local community able to assist us in these investigations and I urge them to contact North Wales Police either via our control room web live chat http://www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/chat-support.aspx. or alternatively phone 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and quote RC17192899.

For comprehensive crime prevention advice on how to secure your home visit https://www.north-wales.police.uk/advice-and-support/safer-homes/safer-homes-intro