POLICE are urging Melksham residents to be vigilant and lock their sheds, cars and bikes after thieves target the area.

A garden was broken into and a shed door unscrewed in Warwick Crescent but nothing was taken overnight last Monday.

A black Carrera Subway Hybrid bike worth £350 had its lock cut off and was stolen from Union Street during Wednesday evening.

On the same night a shed in Bath Road had its doors removed, nothing was taken but an archery target was moved outside.

The following night on Thursday a £300 mountain bike was stolen from a shed in Roundponds after the door hinges were unscrewed. 

Five men were also seen breaking into a shed on Saturday in Craybourne Road. A petrol strimmer, angle grinder worth £40 and a welder worth £200 were taken.

A Piaggio moped was stolen from a driveway in Leaze Road and was found burnt-out in a field near Littlejohn Avenue on Saturday.

Officers are also reminding drivers to lock their cars after reports of thieves targeting them too.

Money was stolen from a car in Addison Road overnight on Saturday. The owner found the doors and boot had been left ajar in the morning.

Latex gloves and glasses were taken from a Fiat Ducato van parked in Roundponds on Saturday night and a sat-nav was stolen from a car in Weavers Croft on Sunday just before 5pm. 

More than 15 cars were damaged, several others had been searched, and stereos and car parts were missing from TW Auto Services at Intercity Industrial Estate over the weekend too.

The previous week a laptop was stolen from a car in Berkshire Green and a stereo from a van in Sunderland Close. Two other cars in the town were also reported to have been searched.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call them on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.