CROOKS smashed their way through the back doors of two Clacton homes in a pair of burglaries.

Investigations have been launched by police officers after the homes in Melbourne Road and Oxford Road were targeted.

The burglary in Melbourne Road happened between 8am and 1.30pm on Thursday January 28.

A side gate was forced open and the glass in the rear door was smashed.

Once inside crooks grabbed a haul of jewellery and electrical items. One of the pieces of jewellery was a distinctive silver flower pendant on a silver chain, with a fingerprint impression in the centre of the pendant.

A second burglary took place later the same day in Oxford Road, Clacton.

The second house was raided between 2.30pm and 3.40pm.

A UPVC panel was forced out of the back door to allow the crooks to get inside and several electrical items were taken.

Police are not linking the two raids at this time.

Anyone with information should contact Det Con Emma Beynon about the Melbourne Road break-in and Det Con Derek Lee on the Oxford Road burglary, both based at Clacton police station on 101.