POLICE across East Lancashire today warned gardeners to be on their guard against opportunist spring thieves.

Officers have been called to a number of thefts from gardens and outbuildings and are now urging householders to protect property by marking it with a postcode and house number while sheds should be protected by an alarm.

Police said thefts of this type increased as the weather improved. As people start to spend more time in their gardens the likelihood was that more items of value could be left outside or in sheds.

Gardeners are now being encouraged to install adequate security on garden sheds used to store expensive equipment.

DS Mick Dagger of Chorley CID said: "In spring we can get an increase in thefts of garden ornaments and gardening tools.

"Last year we had crown chimney pots being stolen. They are used as ornaments and are quite expensive so obviously there are outlets for them to be sold.

"Owners must be wary and mark up their property by putting their post code and house numbers on the bottom of their ornaments and garden furniture with marker pens.

"For sheds alarms are available at a nominal price - under £10 - from various DIY outlets and I urge owners to make sure they have locks on their sheds.

"Both of these will help as deterrents."