POLICE have arrested a 26-year-old man following a spate of break-ins at homes in rural Cheshire.

Mark Lynch, believed to be from Holt, was already in custody on suspicion of burglary in the North Wales area when he was arrested by Cheshire police last weekend.

He was charged with one count of burglary of a property on Churton Road, Farndon in November, and appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court yesterday (Wednesday).

Over the past three months 10 homes across the village were burgled with hundreds of pounds worth of jewellery and cash taken while owners were out shopping or at work.

The latest burglary happened at a house on Church Lane in the village as recently as last Friday.

Patrols were stepped up across the village in what police have described as the highest spate of crime the community has seen in years, with attempted break-ins leaving doors and windows damaged across the area.

Over the past three weeks homes were targeted in:

Dee Crescent, off River Lane, Farndon stealing jewellery and valuables on Monday, January 14

Two homes on Speedway in Farndon on Wednesday, January 16 and Thursday, January 17.

Church Lane in Farndon on Wednesday, January 9.

Peckforton Road, Beeston on Wednesday, January 16.

Pear Tree Close, Frodsham on Tuesday, January 14.

Cheshire police spokesperson Shelley Smith said: “A 26-year-old man has been charged in relation to the burglary of a house in Churton Road, Farndon last November and appeared in court this week.”