POLICE have stepped up patrols in a Hampshire village after a spate of tool thefts.

Criminals have got away with property worth about £10,000 in the last couple of months after breaking into outbuildings – many of them left unlocked – at Wellow, near Romsey.

In the latest incident an unoccupied bungalow in Lower Common Road used to store gardening equipment and builders’ tools was targeted and the burglars escaped with property worth about £5,000 after forcing a window to get in.

This included 50 assorted garden tools from the Wilkinson Sword and Spear & Jackson brand names, along with three precision-made Bisston hand saws.

Two Rebate brand hand planes, three Record brand planes, 50 plate headed screw drivers, 12 assorted chisels, 30 G-clamps and 20 sash clamps and three Stanley brand planes were also among the haul.

Detectives say that the list of stolen property also includes 24 pointed trowels, 12 plastering trowels and six brickwork trowels, along with a Grundig Marlborough Vintage valve radio, which is valued at £80.

Romsey-based police patrol sergeant Darren Standen appealed for the public to be alert and report any suspicious activity, and for information about the bungalow burglary, which happened last month.

“We’ve had a number of non-dwelling burglaries in the same area over the last couple of months but they have been quite sporadic. The vast majority of sheds, garages and other outbuildings broken into have had nothing stolen,” said the officer, adding that anyone with information should contact PC Mark Leneve at Romsey police station on 101.

Sgt Standen added that many sheds and garages where property was stolen were insecure.

He also believes that a vehicle was used to remove the stolen property from the bungalow.