POLICE are appealing for information following a burglary in Melksham on Saturday (August 27).

At approximately 9.50pm, two men broken into a house of a couple in their 80's in the Bowerhill area and stole a large amount of jewellery.

Along with gold stud earrings, gold bangles, silver watches and a gold ring with sapphires and diamonds, a gold crucifix necklace was taken from the woman's neck. 

In addition to this, a gold retirement presentation fob watch engraved with '21 years service as an Air Traffic Controller/Instructor' was also stolen. 

Both men were described as white, one was aged around 25 and the other was slightly younger. 

The men are believed to have left the area in a blue Audi A3 with false registration plates 'KR57 YZR'.

Earlier that evening, a family in Swindon, in Beatrice Street, were also burgled, and the 44-year-old homeowner was hospitalised after being hit on the head with what may have been an iron rod. 

DC Rich Jones, from Melksham CID, said police were working on the theory that the two incidents could be linked.

He said: "These crimes both involved people breaking into homes and threatening the occupants, in one case a vulnerable, elderly couple.

"These types of incidents are rare so we believe there is a possibility they could be linked.

"We have been offering support to the victims and their families and carrying out a number of enquiries, including going door-to-door to speak to neighbours and potential witnesses.

"I would urge anyone who may have seen anything suspicious to come forward and speak to us."

Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.