POLICE are asking people living in villages in the Marlborough and Pewsey areas to a help them crack down on the growing number of thefts of garden machinery and farm workshop tools.

The new rural intelligence officer for the Marlborough area, PC Mark Stowell, is asking villagers and those in remoter areas to act as the eyes and ears of the police and report any unusual vehicles.

PC Stowell said police believe that the spate of thefts from garden sheds, garages, and from farm workshops is linked to the disappearance of four-wheel drive vehicles.

Officers think the thieves steal four- wheel drive vehicles for their load carrying capabilities and because if they are disturbed they can make-off across country.

PC Stowell said it would appear that thieves who have been tracked after recent offences have a wide knowledge of the green lanes, either because they know the area well or have reconnoitered it in advance.

In one case recently a number of four wheel drive vehicles were stolen and relayed across the district and later found abandoned. Police suspect they were used to commit a series of crimes or to carry stolen goods.

Police believe they were used to access farm buildings driving across fields in same cases to steal valuable tools.

At Grafton its likely that a 4x4 vehicle was used to rip the village telephone kiosk from its mountings. The kiosk was dragged up the road to a remote gateway where its cash box was opened with oxy-acetylene cutting equipment stolen from a farm the same night.

Other items stolen from household garages or sheds include valuable lawnmowers, strimmers, hedge cutters, chainsaws, generators and welders. Quad bikes have also featured among the items stolen.

PC Stowell said he believed that in many cases the criminals came from outside Wiltshire but used the network of fast roads including the M4, A34, A303 for their hit and run raids.

He said: "We are asking those living in rural areas to be aware of people who should not be there. If they see strangers or vehicles they do not recognise we would ask them to ring the police straight away."

He said the numbers to call are the county police control room on (01380) 722341 or the Crimestoppers (0800 555111). If residents suspect a crime is about to be committed, they should dial 999.