A GROUP of masked men are thought to be targeting homes for cash after six burglaries and break-ins were reported to police.

Officers are keen to identify the group, who have been spotted in and around Burnley and Pendle on several occasions since Thursday.

The first incident happened at 5.08pm on Thursday (November 12) when unknown offenders broke into a house Garsdale Avenue, Reedley, using a tool. Once inside they have searched several bedrooms, before escaping with just under £1,000 cash.

At 6.36pm the same day police were called to reports of a burglary in Halifax Road, Nelson – close to the junction with Hill Place. In that incident, the suspects have broken in via the back door of the property using a tool and ransacked a number of rooms, before leaving empty-handed.

The third reported burglary happened in Chapel House Road, Nelson, at 6.55pm on Friday (November 13) when the offenders have used a tool to force their way through a window before taking hundreds of pounds of cash from the kitchen.

Later the same day, at 7.36pm, the offenders have smashed several windows of a property in Clarkson Close, Burnley, and once inside have ransacked a number of rooms, before escaping empty-handed.

At 5.37pm on Saturday (November 14), the police were called to reports of three men, who were wearing dark clothing and had their faces covered, trying doors and windows of properties in Castle Street, Brierfield.

The sixth reported incident happened at 5.26pm on Sunday (November 15) when a number of men wearing balaclavas were seen outside a property in Townley Street, Brierfield. It is believed they had tried to get into the property but left after being disturbed by the occupiers.

Det Sgt Phil McGauley, of the East Targeted Crime Team, said: “We appreciate these incidents will have caused a great deal of concern in the community and our investigations to identify those responsible are very much ongoing.

“We need the public’s help with our enquiries and I would ask anybody with information or who saw anything suspicious in the area at the times of the offences to contact police. I would also ask people to check their CCTV and dashcam footage to see to if they can see any suspicious looking vehicles or individuals around the times of the offences.”