POLICE are urging Fordingbridge residents to ensure garages, sheds, barns or any outbuildings are properly secured.

The warning comes after a barn was broken into in Godshill between 9am on Friday and 8.30am on Saturday.

Police say a canvas cover was stolen from a Land Rover that was in the barn, but nothing else was stolen.

A police spokesman said: “If you have a garage, shed, barn or any other outbuilding that vehicles or personal contents are stored in then please take some time to re-check your security on those buildings and, if possible, secure as best as you can to deter criminals from taking your possessions.”

“Please, if you have been a victim of crime and it does not require an urgent response, then call 101 and report it.

“Receiving reports of what rural crime has occurred will enable us to target patrols and get a better idea of where and what type of crime is occurring.”

Anyone with information about the break-in can call police on 101.

Meanwhile, a Stihl disc cutter was stolen from the rear of a pick-up vehicle parked in a car park in Damerham near Fordingbridge.

The theft happened overnight between March 6 and 7. Anyone with information is urged to call police on 101 and quote crime reference 44150078364.