POLICE are asking people to be vigilant following the latest spate of shed burglaries, this time in Bondleigh near North Tawton.

Over the past few weeks, criminals have targeted Chagford and Hatherleigh and between July 22 and 23 five outhouses with padlocks were broken into in Bondleigh and garden machinery stolen.

Among the items taken were rotavators, chainsaws and mowers, with a total value of more than £1,000.

DC Kim Brain said attacks like this were happening all over West Devon. He is urging the public to keep their eyes open for anything that looks suspicious.

'There seems to be a band of people going out to look for things to burgle during the day and then coming back at 3am to commit the crime,' he said. 'We are asking people who see anything out of the ordinary to take car registration numbers and report the matter to us.'

Call DC Brain at Okehampton Police Station on 08452 777444 if you can help.