Two men have appeared before magistrates charged with conspiring to commit 22 burglaries across Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire over the festive period.

Dyfed-Powys Police launched an investigation into an unusual increase in dwelling burglaries over the Christmas and New Year Period in the local area.

Detectives identified a car travelling on false number plates which could be attributed to a number of the incidents, which led to a significant police operation in the Tregaron area on January 8, when two men abandoned the vehicle following an approach by police community support officers.

Two men, described as being of Irish origin, have appeared before Llanelli Magistrates Court charged with conspiring to commit 22 burglaries between December 12 2013 and January 14. Both were remanded into custody to appear again on January 24.

“The direct invasion of people’s homes leaves victims of this type of crime with an immeasurable sense of vulnerability that they will have to live with day to day,” said Detective Inspector Richard Yelland from Pembrokeshire CID.

“The Dyfed-Powys Police area remains one of the safest places to reside in England and Wales with these incidents being rare. This can often make us vulnerable to criminals passing through our area. I would continue to urge residents to consider the security of their homes and contact their local Neighbourhood Policing Teams for advice.”