RESIDENTS in and around Northallerton are being urged to be extra vigilant about security following a spate of thefts and vehicle crime in recent weeks.

On the evening of Friday, August 18 a black car was stolen in broad daylight from Station Lane in Brompton.

The car was taken some time between 4pm and 6pm.

Earlier that day, at around 2pm, another daylight theft occurred in Brompton when a Stihl saw was taken from outside a property on Long Lane.

Police are appealing for anybody who was in the village at the time and saw either crime or noticed anything suspicious in the area to contact them.

The following Sunday, August 20 another vehicle was targeted by crooks, this time at Stone Cross garage in Northallerton.

It was broken into just after midnight and items were stolen from inside.

Over the bank holiday weekend a shed was burgled at a property on Beech Grove, Northallerton.

It happened some time between 10.30pm on Sunday August 27 and 1.30pm the next day.

Other crimes reported to the police in the area include car tyres being deliberately punctured by nails whilst parked in staff and public parking areas of the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

There have been several reports of such incidents over the last month.

Meanwhile, lead was stolen from a property roof on Stanley Court, South Parade between August 22 and August 25.

If anyone has any information that can help the police in their investigations into these incidents they should contact officers on 101.