Detectives are hunting for burglars who broke into the Bishopsteignton home of an elderly woman while she was at a hospital appointment.

The 86-year-old woman returned home on Wednesday afternoon (26 March) to find that her home in Church Road had been burgled.

Offenders forced the kitchen door lock between 1pm and 3.45pm and made an untidy search of the bedroom and kitchen.

They left with items of jewellery, her bank cards and cheque book plus a small amount of cash.

Police are appealing for witnesses and asking for anyone who saw suspicious activity in the Church Road area at the time to contact them.

Detectives are investigating possible links to four other break-ins in Teignmouth in recent weeks. Offenders broke into all four properties by forcing door locks.

A wallet, handbag and Samsung mobile phone was taken from a property in Bligh Close in the early hours of 9 March.

A property was targeted in Soper Walk overnight on 28 February but nothing was taken, and burglars left empty-handed from a home in Barnpark Close on 21 March.

Burglars got inside a property in Cliffden Close overnight on 25/26 February and stole the keys to a Hyundai car before stealing the vehicle. The car was later recovered.

Anyone who can assist with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting crime reference JG/14/525.