A SERIES of burglaries and attempted burglaries today in Lincolnshire are being linked with two incidents in Cambridgeshire. Police in Spalding are appealing for help from the public after a series of burglaries and attempted burglaries in and around the

A SERIES of burglaries and attempted burglaries today in Lincolnshire are being linked with two incidents in Cambridgeshire.

Police in Spalding are appealing for help from the public after a series of burglaries and attempted burglaries in and around the area during the early hours of this morning.

The incidents started just before 3.10am when The Plough Inn at Holbeach St John's was entered and �10 stolen from the till.

Then at 3.14am a member of the public alerted police after he saw three men with a torch around his house in Weston Hills - they made off in a dark car with a loud exhaust.

At 3.25am two men were disturbed on the roof of the Bell Inn public house at Weston Hills and made off without gaining entry.

At 3.35am a man was disturbed on the flat roof of the Royal Mail Cart public house, Pinchbeck Road, Spalding - he made off without gaining entry.

Finally at about 4.10am three men wearing masks broke into the Duke of York pub in Gosberton. They attacked the gaming machines with crow bars and stole cigarettes, money and jewellery.

They also threatened the occupiers of the pub, a man and a woman. They were shocked but not physically injured and the 3 men made off; the value of the property is not yet known.

Spalding Detective Sergeant Steve Knubley says he believes the five incidents are connected and is appealing for anyone who was out and about around the relevant times and saw anything suspicious to call in confidence on 01522 532222 and give their information or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"I am also in touch with officers in Cambridgeshire where two incidents on their area may also be connected," he said.

"The couple who were threatened in the Duke of York in Gosberton were obviously very frightened when the three men threatened them but thankfully they were not physically assaulted.

"It is also possible that whoever carried out these burglaries and attempted burglaries are travelling criminals and came from outside the county. Any information will be treated in the strictest confidence and I urge anyone with any information to get in touch.