POLICE in Pill and Bettws are urging residents to be vigilant after a series of thefts from sheds and garages in the area.

In the last four weeks, 26 offences have been reported with the worse affected areas being Allt yr yn, Gaer and Graig. Valuables stolen include bikes, garden tools and power tools.

Hinges have been removed from shed doors to break in, but police say in six cases, sheds had been left unlocked.

Detective Inspector Matt Sedgebeer said: “Thanks to the sunny weather, more of us are spending time outside in the garden and it’s easy to forget and leave sheds unlocked. This unfortunately means that we see more reports of thefts from sheds and garages. We’re asking all residents to check on the security they have in place and also, importantly to make sure they lock their sheds and garages as soon as they finish using them.

Officers will be giving out UV pens to help residents security mark the valuables in their sheds and garages. By adding your name and post code to items, they can be traced back to their owner if recovered.

To speak to an officer for crime prevention advice, or for a UV pen, residents are asked to check the Gwent Police website www.gwent.police.uk for details of when the local surgeries are taking place in Pill and Bettws.

He asked that people call 101 or if they think a crime is taking place, to call 999.