Offenders forced their way into a Melbourn house yesterday at about 5.20pm, stealing car keys, jewellery and wrapped presents during a crime spree in the village.

The burglars then made off with the car which was parked at the house in Hale Close.

It was a bad evening for crime in the village, various Dewalt power tools and Ryobi tools were stolen from a shed in Dolphin Lane between 4.45pm and 7.45pm.

There were also four thefts from vehicles in the area between yesterday evening and this morning.

Two occurred in the Melbourn and Meldreth area between 7.30pm and 9pm – where a catalytic converter was stolen from one vehicle and fishing equipment was stolen from a van.

Various power tools were also stolen from two vans in Melbourn and Whaddon overnight between 8.30pm and 6.45am.