Five homes were burgled in a single night.
The houses in Groveside and Park Farm Close in Henlow were targeted in the early hours of Monday, December 9.
The thieves forced open doors and stole handbags, mobile phones, purses, cigarettes and laptops.
At one of the homes they took the keys to a black Audi A1 with the registration number BJ62 YDV and drove the car away.
DC Kevin Howes is keen to trace anyone who saw two people acting suspiciously in the Henlow area prior to the burglaries or anyone who has seen the Audi.
He said: “It is possible that this car is parked along a road in another area and as yet no one has noticed it.
“The stolen handbags were found on Monday dumped in Hoo Road in MeppershalI.
“I would encourage residents to check the vehicles parked in their street and let the police know if they see this car and anyone who saw the handbags being left in Hoo Road to contact the police.”
Anyone with information should contact the police on the 101 non-emergency number.
People living in the area are urged to be extra vigilant with their home security after this spate of burglaries.