POLICE in Ramsbottom are warning residents to be on their guard against thieves targeting garden equipment and plants.

Police say garden thefts increase dramatically during the spring and summer when the days are longer and the nights are lighter.

Owners are being urged to remove expensive equipment from allotments at night, securing what remains in a shed with a good lock, marking equipment with their postcodes and covering up windows so would-be thieves cannot see what is available to steal.

Officers also warned that tools and ladders left lying about can encourage thieves to use them to break into homes and advised residents to install security lighting to stop a burglar in their tracks.

Inspector Dave McElroy said: "I would urge people to tot up the value of what is in their garden or allotment shed.

"Most people will find that it runs into hundreds of pounds, and could even be over a thousand. A few simple precautions can help to safeguard valuables and not leave them vulnerable to theft.

"Remember, this summertime don't make the living easy for criminals."

Other advice includes adding gravel to paths because of the noise it makes to help deter would-be-thieves and using prickly plants such as roses or hawthorn to keep burglars at bay.