POLICE in Trowbridge are warning people to be on their guard after a 140 per cent increase in the number of break-ins into sheds and garages.

Inspector Jon Tapper is warning people to get proper locks and make their outbuildings more secure after 64 break-ins in six months, with Newtown, Frampton Park and Hilperton Road being the main areas targeted.

He said: "People take great care to make sure their homes are secure, but for some reason they don't worry so much about outside their homes, where they often keep really valuable things.

"Luckily there are a lot of simple crime prevention measures people can take to avoid being a victim of this sort of crime."

He suggested people should fix window locks on sheds, and padlocks on doors, and lock items securely inside.

Insp Tapper said: "People can now get hold of shed alarms, which are relatively easy to install. They can get them through the Bobby Scheme for £6."

The Bobby Scheme is an initiative to help the vulnerable in society to protect themselves by helping them improve security at a reasonable cost.

Anyone who wants to find out more about the scheme and get an alarm is asked to contact Trowbridge police station in Wicker Hill.