Devizes police are warning householders to upgrade the security on their garden sheds and other outbuildings after a spate of non-dwelling burglaries in the area.

Inspector Matt Armstrong said that the lighter evenings and warmer weather does tend to go along with an increase in these kinds of crimes.

Homeowners were being advised to adopt a number of inexpensive ways of keeping their property secure.

Insp Armstrong said: “There is a range of good, sturdy padlocks on the market, some of which come with alarms attached.

"It is much better to spend a bit of money than to see your shed broken into and expensive items stolen.”

Among the recent burglaries was the theft of a green petrol-driven lawnmower from a shed at the allotments in Sands Lane, Easterton, some time on the night of April 2.

On the same night, a shed in Bath Road, Devizes, was broken into and a blue-and-silver Trek bike, valued at £300, taken.

A thousand pounds of golf clubs and a £600 Cannondale mountain bike went from a garden shed in Dowse Road, Devizes, on Sunday, April 6.

If anyone has any information about these crimes they are asked to contact Devizes police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.