Residents of a village near Stow have been urged to be vigilant following a spate of burglaries and break-ins.

Gloucestershire Constabulary is investigating a number of incidents in Bledington over recent days, with reports of properties and outbuildings being broken into and robbed.

Then first incident took place on Station Road at around 1.40am on Monday, January 9.

The offenders forced entry to an outbuilding and stole chainsaws and strimmers.

Then, between 3.45pm on Monday and 7.45am the following day, thieves broke into a house in the village and stole Dewalt power tools. 

In another incident, offenders stole a 12ft Ifor Williams livestock trailer from a farm between Saintbury and Willersey.

This happened at around 9.10pm on Wednesday, January 11.

Police say the trailer has a distinctive jockey wheel, the handle is orange and the jockey wheel itself is orange.

Anyone who has witnessed suspicious activity in the area or has information about any of the incidents is asked to complete the following online form: www.gloucestershire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/.

The reference for the incident on Station Road is CR/01667/23.

For the theft of the Dewalt power tools, reference incident 59 of January 10.

And mention incident 457 of January 11 if reporting information about the trailer.

"We're reminding homeowners to be vigilant following a recent series of burglaries and outbuilding breaks in Bledington, near Stow-on-the-Wold, over recent days," said a spokesperson for Gloucestershire Constabulary.

"As the winter months continue, officers want to remind residents of the protective measures that can be taken to help ensure homes and vehicles are as safe as possible."

Residents are urged to to install a combination of security devices and ensure that back gates are secured.

Other crime prevention methods include having "strong and secure" locks on doors and windows, making a note of the serial numbers and taking photographs of high-value items, and marking valuable items with either an Ultra-Violet pen or a forensic marking kit.

Police have also advised people to utilise "defensive planting", using thorns and bushes to prevent casual intrusion.

More information can be found at www.gloucestershire.police.uk/police-forces/gloucestershire-constabulary/areas/gloucestershire/campaigns/burglary/.