Garden equipment stolen from Cutts shed

A backpack blower, two chainsaws, two drills, an overhead tree lapper and three sets of screwdrivers were stolen.

Police say that householders need to take steps to secure their sheds, outbuildings and garden property and make sure they are as well protected as your home.

They say that securing your shed is vital – burglars will take advantage of any opportunity to gain easy access.

Ensure that doors are solid enough not to be kicked in and fit strong closed shackle padlocks.

Never leave a garage or garden shed unlocked, especially if it has a connecting door to the house – a thief could get in and work on the inner door in privacy.

Ideally, expensive equipment and toys should not be stored in a shed or ensure you permanently mark items and keep a record of what you have stored.