RESIDENTS are being warned to be on their guard following a spate of shed and garage burglaries.

Police are urging householders to ensure their sheds and garages are properly locked after a number of outbuildings were targeted by thieves across Burnley and Padiham.

Offenders have made off with items including bicycles, tools and small motorcycles from properties across the borough in recent weeks.

Officers are now advising people to ensure property within sheds and garages is marked with their postcode and house number.

They said thefts from sheds and garages are usually more prevalent in the spring and summer when criminals target garden machinery and that a spate of incidents at this time of year is ‘unusual.’ Crime prevention officer PC Corbett, said: “There has been a sudden spate of these crimes and we are anxious to prevent further incidents. I am reminding people to think about the security of their sheds or garages and of the property they keep inside it.

“Make sure that the building itself is always locked and that other items such as bikes or motor-cycles that are kept inside, are themselves locked and secured to a fixed point.”

“Anyone getting a bike or something similar for Christmas that will be stored outside should really think about the security of where it will be stored to make sure they keep it safe in the New Year.”

Shed alarms are available from Burnley Police Station for £5.

Anyone with information should call Burnley Police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.