PEOPLE in Teesdale have been warned to make sure their sheds are locked following a spate of thefts.

Over the past few weeks, several sheds in Barnard Castle have been broken into and mainly gardening equipment stolen.

The most recent theft was from a shed on The Bank between December 19 and December 27.

A £50 Makita circular saw, a Makita chop saw worth £100 and a boxed £50 Goodmans car stereo were stolen.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the theft or for anybody who may have been offered any of the items, to come forward.

Inspector Kevin Tuck, of Barnard Castle, said: "There's been four or five sheds broken into in as many weeks.

"At this time of year, if people have got new mountain bikes or golf clubs, or other items of equipment and are keeping them in the shed, we are advising them to keep sheds locked and secure.

"Anything that makes it more difficult for the items to be stolen is good."

Insp Tuck said the thefts could be related.

He added: "Sometimes people don't want to worry the police, but we'd rather have 100 false alarms than someone to be the victim of crime."