BIDDULPH pottery lovers are being urged not to show off their prized possessions in their front windows.

The call came from police inspector Eddie Brougham in the wake of a spate of thefts of expensive ornamental figures.

Police believe the same gang which has been targeting homes in Kidsgrove could be behind a Biddulph break-in.

Royal Doulton and other valuable figures were stolen in 10 raids on Kidsgrove in the last three weeks, and Insp Brougham is worried Biddulph may be next on the gang's hit list.

His fears were increased by the theft of a Moorcroft and two Wedgwood figures from a bungalow in Mill Hayes Road, Biddulph, early in the morning.

A brick was thrown through a bedroom window at 4.10am while the elderly occupants were asleep, and the thieves reached through and grabbed the pottery figures.

Insp Brougham is asking people not to put such figures on show in their windows, while acknowledging that householders liked to show off their pottery.

"There has to be a balance between people showing them off and making it very obvious what they have got," he said.

"Gangs are going round in the day spotting figures on show in homes before returning at night to break in."

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