A SPATE of thefts from homes in the Tavistock area has sparked a warning from police, regarding the marking of valuable property.

Sgt Dave Anning last week told members of Tavistock Town Council that with the approach of spring, 'all sorts of break-ins' regularly occurred.

He said: 'There is a specific crime spree going on at the moment with Honda quad bikes — we've had five go in West Devon in the last 14 days.

'There have been allotments targeted in Bere Alston and a couple in Tavistock. Sheds have been broken into and people have had to shell out a lot of money, replacing locks.'

Sgt Anning said homeowners should be aware that recording identification numbers or serial numbers of valuable pieces of equipment was easy to do, using the website http://www.immobilise.com">www.immobilise.com — a national service which made tracing stolen equipment much easier.

Sgt Anning said: 'If you know of anyone who has spent a few thousand pounds on equipment recently, spread the word — register these details and then every police force in the country will know when the item is stolen.

'It's a national facility and the more we can use it, the more difficult it will become for people to get away with thefts.'