POLICE are this week urging people to be aware, after a spate of vehicle crime and garage thefts in the Callington and St Anns Chapel areas.

Thousands of pounds worth of power tools, satellite navigation equipment and other items were stolen during the incidents.

Damage running into thousands was also caused to property during the crimes, which mainly took place between November 14 and 18.

Local officers said they were investigating a number of similar garage crimes in Saltash and have not ruled out whether these all might be linked.

Patrols have been stepped up in the targetted areas including checks by plain clothed officers.

The majority of vehicle thefts and vehicle interference took place on a new estate in St Anns Chapel and police would like information from the public on these. They occurred overnight on November 17/18 and are as follows:

l A Tom Tom sat nav and digital camera were stolen from a Kia Rio between 5.50pm and 7.40am after a passenger side window was smashed. The crime number is BN/11/743.

l Access was gained to a white Ford Transit van via a rear door between 6pm and 9am and a circular saw, chop saw, cordless drill, combi drill, jigsaw and Lloyds TSB cheque were stolen. The crime number is BN/11/745.

l Between 3.30pm and 7.30am a Vauxhall Caddy Wagon had its rear window and rubber surround removed but nothing was taken. The crime number is BN/11/746.

l A Honda Jazz was tampered with between 5pm and 10am but entry was not gained. The crime number is BN/11/748.

l A sat nav was taken from a Seat Altea after thieves gained entry through an unlocked door between 5.30pm and 7.30am. The crime number is BN/11/754.

l The lock on a passenger door of a Peugeot 206 van was damaged but no entry gained. This crime took place on another estate in St Anns Chapel on the same night. The crime number is BN/11/750.

A number of burglaries from garages in Callington also took place overnight on November 14/15.

l Between 8pm and 8am an insecure garage was entered and a truck broken into. A Mackie sound system, iPOD, Ray-Ban sunglasses and Marshall amplifier, totalling £2,640, were stolen. The crime number is BN/11/729.

l Between 1.30pm and 9.15am an insecure garage was entered but nothing stolen. The crime number is BN/11/730.

l A secure garage with an up and over door was broken into and three cases of Carling lager was taken between 7pm and 7.45am. The crime number is BN/11/731.

Police also believe that the theft of a man's bicycle between October 22 and 25 from a detached garage in Kelly Bray may be linked to these crimes. The crime number is BN/11/685. There have also been a number of vehicle interference crimes in Callington.

Callington police sergeant Brett Philips said this was an unusual spate of crimes but people should not be alarmed.

'We believe there are a small amount of people committing the vast number of crimes,' he said.

'It is a concern to the police but we are responding to the problem with various tactical options including increasing patrols in those areas.

'We want to hear from anyone who has information, but I would also encourage motorists to ensure any valuable items of property are ideally removed from the vehicle or securely stored out of sight.

'Also I would advise people to park cars in well lit areas and unenclosed areas.'

Sgt Phillips also asked that residents make sure their garages and sheds were securely locked.

Anyone with information on these crimes should contact Callington police on the 101 number or ring in anonymously by phoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.