Three alleged members of a burglary gang are to be charged with involvement in dozens of break-ins across Suffolk and Norfolk.

In April detectives said they were linking more than 80 burglaries across both counties which had occurred over the previous six months.

Sixty-eight of the break-ins had been in Suffolk.

A special operation - codenamed Domain - was set up to catch the offenders who had struck primarily in the St Edmundsbury, Babergh and Suffolk Coastal areas.

Among the locations targeted were Moulton, Newmarket, Barrow Great Barton, Norton, Bardwell, Lavenham, West Row, Brantham, Yoxford, Yaxley, Hadleigh, Icklingham, Grundisburgh, Tattingstone and Brantham.

Jewellery was taken in many of the break-ins, which often occurred during the day and in properties towards the outskirts of rural areas where entry had been forced.

The three men arrested were detained by Devon and Cornwall police after a string of burglaries in those two counties.

They have been charged in connection to three offences in the south-west, but now face being charged in relation to more than 40 burglaries in Suffolk and Norfolk.

Detective Chief Inspector Barry Byford, of Suffolk Constabulary, said: “Three people have been charged with conspiracy to commit burglary in relation to three offences in Devon and Cornwall and have been committed for crown court trial. All three are currently remanded in custody.

“They have also been reported for 44 offences in Suffolk and Norfolk in connection with burglaries relating to Operation Domain and will be appearing in court as a result, where they will be formally charged.”

The men are all understood to be Lithuanian nationals. One is a 20-year-old from east London, another is a 36-year-old from Purfleet, Surrey, and the third is a 38-year-old from west London.

In April Suffolk police launched a ‘See it, Hear it, Report it’ campaign and appealed for communities to be on the look-out for any suspicious behaviour in their villages.

This included people and vehicles that appeared unusual or out of place.

Suffolk Constabulary has said there have been several arrests recently after members of the public have called in following the campaign launch. Officers have asked people to continue calling.

In an emergency call 999 or alternatively telephone 101.