BURGLARS have targeted sheds and outbuildings in a spate of break-ins across Wilmslow.

In the past two days, thieves have stolen a bike and £500 worth of tools.

Police are now warning residents to be vigilant and step up security.

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The first incident happened shortly before 2pm on Monday, March 11.

Intruders made their way into an unlocked shed on Buckingham Road after a gate had been forced open at the back of the property.

Nothing was stolen.

Later that evening, at around 11.10pm would-be burglars used a screwdriver to break into a garage on Knutsford Road.

Their bid was unsuccessful and they left empty-handed.

However, just 20 minutes later, police received a call that an Open MIN.D bike had been stolen from a shed on Northward Road.

Around £500 worth of tools were stolen from a shed on Moor Lane in the early hours of the following morning.

Officers were told that intruders had forced their way into the property at 12.20am on Monday, March 12.

There is currently no evidence of any of the incidents being linked, though detectives are keeping an open mind and are exploring all possibilities.

Officers are urging anyone with information about these incidents to come forward and are appealing for residents to take action to reduce their chances of becoming victims.

Inspector Nick Rogers, of Macclesfield Local Policing Unit, said: “Enquiries in relation to these incidents are ongoing and I urge anyone with any information or footage regarding them to get in touch.

“Residents can also help us and themselves by making it as difficult as possible for criminals to enter their outbuildings.

“We’d recommend keeping any valuables you may have in your home or in a secure garage, shed or outbuilding with good security measures such as lighting, ground anchors, and have CCTV covering any blind spots."

Anyone with information relating to these burglaries should call Cheshire Police on 101 or via the website quoting IML1775882.

Information can also be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Cheshire Police has issued the following tips to deter thieves and burglars from targeting outbuildings:

• Never leave a garage, shed or other outbuilding unlocked and easy prey for opportunist thieves

• Fit strong padlocks to outbuilding doors and make sure that the doors are solid enough not to be kicked in

• Good external security lighting can put off or draw attention to a thief/burglar – the most appropriate form is high efficiency low energy lighting controlled by a dusk-to-dawn switch so that it only comes on when it is dark

• Strong fencing or gates will make it difficult for intruders to get onto your land

• Solid fences or walls, particularly those with a flat or rounded top, are relatively easy for a thief/burglar to climb over – fixing trellising to the top can make it more difficult

• Check for weak spots where a thief/burglar could get onto your land, such as a low or sagging fence or a back gate with a weak lock

• A thorny hedge along the boundary of your property can put thieves and burglars off, as can gravel areas due to the noise of walking on them.