POLICE are issuing an urgent warning following a number of burglaries in and around Longparish and Leckford areas over the past few days.

The rural neighbourhood police team at Stockbridge police stations said the offenders are targeting sheds and other outbuilding to steal items like hedge trimmers, chainsaws and other garden machinery.

In a Facebook post by Test Valley Cops, the neighbourhood police team said: “Can we please advise owners of these type of items to make a record of any serial numbers.

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“This may assist police at a later date in retrieving these items, if police were to come across them whilst conducting other enquiries.

“In addition to the above, any steps to ‘target harden’ these items, such as keeping them out of sight and ensuring that they are locked away when not in use would also be strongly advised.

“The team are currently investigating a number of these burglaries and are conducting regular, proactive patrols in these areas.

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“If you have any information regarding these incidents, then it would be hugely appreciated if you could call 101 or submit a report via our website.”