GARDEN and allotment shed owners are being asked to make sure their tools are properly secure and identifiable following a spate of burglaries across South Somerset.

Sheds along the main roads are being picked most often, with petrol-powered tools commonly stolen from outbuildings often left unlocked after dark.

Offences such as these have been recorded in most towns and large villages over the last month, with the area between Chard and Yeovil particularly favoured.

Avon and Somerset Police are encouraging people to report any suspicious activity which might relate to the burglaries to them or Crimestoppers, particularly involving white transit vans which have been mentioned a number of times in crime reports.

Sgt Nigel Downey said: “The offenders are looking for valuable tools like strimmers, lawnmowers and chainsaws so my advice is that owners of items like these go outside now and make sure they are as secure as possible, and that they note the model and serial number if they haven’t already done so, so we can return them if recovered and make successful prosecutions.

“If anyone is offered the chance to buy petrol-powered tools from the back of a van, they should decline and give me a description of the people and vehicles involved by calling 101.”