A WARNING that a gang may be targeting Hampshire's southern parish councils has been issued after the thefts of thousands of pounds worth of maintenance equipment.

Storm clean-up operations in both Hound and West End parishes have been severely hampered by the break-ins which took place within days of each other.

Furious staff immediately put up a reward in the hope of capturing those involved in Tuesday night's break-in.

During the latest incident, which took place at the council burial ground in Hound Road, between £3,000 and £4,000 worth of maintenance equipment was stolen.

The break-in comes only days after a weekend theft at West End Parish Council's store saw up to £10,000 worth of equipment stolen.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the theft left the council unable to clear up after the storms that hit the South at the beginning of last week.

Now, Hound's clean-up operation has also been set back.

Parish clerk Malcolm Anderson said: "It is unfortunate because a lot of the equipment taken was only bought in the last six months.

"It will probably affect our clean up after the storms. It is bound to have a knock-on effect.

"The police have been involved and we are also offering a reward of up to £100 for information that leads to a prosecution."

In West End, council officials were counting the cost of the break-in at their Chapel Road centre and warning others to be on their guard. Clerk Bobbie Smith said: "I have rung round all the parish councils to warn them of what is happening.

"It makes me think that this is more widespread than we previously thought."

Police are keen to trace a dark-coloured Ford Sierra that was captured on CCTV cameras which recorded the West End break-in during the early hours of October 29.

Anyone with any information should contact Hedge End police on 0845 045 4545.