POLICE are warning residents to be vigilant after a number of thefts from vans and sheds in recent weeks.

Thieves appear to be targeting gardening equipment with incidents reported in Hanging Langford, Wylye, Great Wishford, Durrington and Broad Chalke.

Lawn mowers, chainsaws and leaf blowers were among the items taken during the spate that started on Friday, May 8.

One gardener had his van window smashed and the thieves took off with a strimmer and a chainsaw worth a combined £1,600.

Glen Sidford was targeted on Sunday, May 10, when criminals smashed the back windows of his van. He will now have to fork out for replacements because he was uninsured against theft.

“I heard the dogs barking in the night but the first I heard about it was in the morning when my neighbour came knocking on my door at around 6.30am after seeing the damage,” he said. “It has just been a massive inconvenience.

“These people target those who want to work and just do it for free a quick fix.”

At one of the thefts in Wylye on Wednesday, May 13, offenders broke into a Ford Transit Tipper and an old-style hatchback was seen in the area at approximately 3am which police are now interested in tracing.

They have urged residents to review their security and issued a reminder that one padlock is not always enough.

They also recommend all valuable items in outbuildings are marked and registered with Immobilise.com and to check insurance covers items in garages, shed and outhouses.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “People are also urged to report suspicious activity so that we can stop other members of the community becoming victims. If you are offered second hand tools, please report it to Wiltshire Police.”

Anyone who has any information on these latest incidents should call police on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously if preferred.