POLICE in Teesdale have highlighted the need for residents to report any suspicious behaviour after a new spate of thefts and burglaries.

Tools, diesel and farm equipment worth thousands of pounds have been taken from locations across the dale in recent weeks, but police think the crimes arent linked.

Overnight on January 19 and 20 150 litres of diesel was siphoned from a parked lorry on the A66 at Greta Bridge.

Another 270 litres of fuel was taken from a haulage yard in Butterknowle between 6pm on January 22 and 6am on January 23.

A Rodenator - a tool for the destruction of vermin - was taken from a farm in Winston between 5pm and 9.30pm on January 20. Burglars used a stolen Mitsubishi pick-up to steal the equipment, which was worth 180. The car was later abandoned in Staindrop.

An Ifor Williams trailer and a large quantity of tools were stolen from a farm in Hutton Magna between 7pm on January 21 and 6.20am on January 22. The burglars used a stolen Land Rover to steal their haul, but were forced to abandon the vehicle after being pulled over by the police. All of the stolen items were recovered but the burglars escaped.

Two properties in Romaldkirk had saws, drills and other tools stolen from them between January 22 at 4.30pm and 7.45am on January 23.

Cyclists had two mountain bikes taken from a car rack in Langdon Beck on Saturday. The first bike was a gold Track Fuel and the second was a black and white Treck Top Fuel bike.

Sgt Chris Knox, from Barnard Castle Police, said: We are treating all these cases individually. We would urge anyone who has been offered any suspicious items to get in touch.- Anyone with any information should call Barnard Castle Police on 0345-6060365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.