POLICE are reminding residents to be on guard against spring time thieves.

The warning follows three shed and garage break-ins at Edmondsley, south of Chester-le-Street. earlier this week.

All took place in Jubilee Close between 10pm on Sunday April 1 and 8am the next morning.

The lock was forced on one, a second had been left unlocked and the burglar failed to get into the third.

Property stolen included fishing equipment, a power drill in its case, a pair of ladies brown suede boots and a car battery charger.

PC Ellis Hall, beat officer for Sacriston, said; "At this time of year we tend to see an increase in this type of crime as thieves target items left outside or in sheds and garages.

"If anyone needs crime prevention advice we would ask them to ring 101 and contact their neighbourhood policing team."