HOMEOWNERS have been issued with a warning in a bid to combat thefts from sheds across Blackburn.

Police said crimes targeting bikes and expensive gardening tools traditionally increase during the summer months.

In a bid to halt the trend, officers have launched a campaign to reduce the number of shed break-ins.

The drive has been welcomed by Blackburn resident Alec Harvey, 61, who has been the victim of three shed break-ins in three years.

He said the campaign was a "good way" of helping to deter thieves.

Residents in the town are being offered free shed alarms. Longshaw and Highercroft neighbourhood policing team will be handing out alarms to residents.

The project has been partly funded by local group Peel Residents' Association, and is part of a countywide summer crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour.