POLICE in Skipton believe the same offenders are responsible for a burglary and three attempted break-ins in the town overnight on Sunday and Monday this week.

Entry was gained to a property in Upper Union Street, Skipton, sometime between 10pm on Sunday and 4.30am yesterday (Monday), and a number of electrical items and a wallet was stolen.

Attempts were then made at three other properties in the town, all around 3am yesterday, with CCTV footage showing two males with their faces obscured and carrying a screw-driver.

Police say:

* At 2. 46 am on Monday (April 8) CCTV footage shows two males in balaclavas with a screw-driver attempting to enter a property on Hurrs Road, Skipton.

* At 3.15 am on Monday, the occupant of a property on Moorview Way, Skipton disturbed two males with a screw-driver entering his unlocked, front door as he was getting ready to leave for work. The two males ran off.

* At 3 am on Monday, CCTV footage shows two males trying doors on Moorview Way, Skipton. One of the males appeared to be carrying a screw-driver but he did not use it. No entry was gained to the properties.

"The suspects for all these offences are believed to the same", said a spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police (Craven). " They are described as slim, white males wearing baseball caps and they had their faces obscured by something like a bandanna or balaclava.

"They were carrying torches and one had a screw-driver. One was described as being about 5ft 11, wearing workman's trousers, a jacket and hiking trainers. The other was wearing a hooded top with a high-viz stripe.

"The property that was entered had a quantity of electrical items - IPhones, IPad, Nintendo Switch, Laptops - and a wallet stolen. Two stolen bank cards were later used in Beeston, Leeds."

The spokesperson added that the offenders appear to be predominantly targeting unlocked properties or older style doors with locks that can be easily prised open with a screw-driver.

"Please keep your doors locked and review your home security to reduce your chances of becoming another victim," said the spokesperson.

Anyone with any information is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on the 101 number and quote incident number 1224 00 60772, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.