POLICE are warning residents in rural areas to be on the alert after a spate of shed break-ins at Mathon, near Malvern.

On Wednesday, a barn on a smallholding in the centre of the village was broken into. A Yamaha Breeze quad bike was stolen along with a breaker off a digger. A second quad bike was damaged.

On Tuesday, June 25, a shed at a farm was broken into and a lawnmower, strimmer, hedge cutter and chainsaw stolen.

On Wednesday, June 12, a shed at Moor End Cross was burgled and a ride-on lawnmower, strimmer, chainsaws and leaf blowers were stolen.

And back on Friday, April 12, a hedge cutter, leaf blower and two chainsaws were stolen from a shed in the centre of the village.

A spokesman for the Ledbury Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "Please review your security, remove items of value if possible and report anything suspicious to 101."