POLICE say a run of break-ins in the Ledbury area may be linked and could involve opportunist criminals using vans.

In particular, outbuildings and sheds are being targeted and items taken have included power tools and motorbikes.

But another crime involved the attempted theft of an ATM machine at Parkway Garage.

The unusual level of local crime over the past few weeks has caused police to issue an appeal for local people to "keep 'em peeled" and watch out for, and report, any unusual vehicles and individuals.

Detective constable Laurence James of Hereford CID said: "We are looking for people wandering around in vans. There are quite a few incident incidents for an area like Ledbury. It is a crime spate? - I would say so."

DC James said it was "hard to say" whether all the incidents were linked.

But he added: "There is every chance some are.

"We urge people to call in about any suspicious activity or vehicles as, more often than not, offenders will carry out a recce in the day before returning at night to carry out the offences."

There were two incidents this week alone.

There was a burglary between 7pm on Monday, September 5 and 9.25am on Tuesday September 6, when thieves targeted the outbuilding of an Edwardian manor house, near the Gloucester Road in Ledbury.

Intruders broke off the padlock and made off with a Stihl chainsaw, brush cutters and a garden vacuum.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 and quote incident reference 0149S 060916.

Another burglary took place between 7pm on Monday, September 5 and 6.30am the following day.

Thieves broke into a shed at Lower Eggleton and took a white Knuckle XY 125cc motorcycle, which was chained.

Anyone with information should call 101 and quote incident reference 0086S 060916.

Thieves attempted to steal a "stand alone" ATM cash machine from Parkway Garage, Ledbury, between 1.40am and 1.55am on Wednesday, August 31.

DC James said: "Offenders approached the ATM and forced open the outer casing metal door using a sledge hammer and other tools. The offenders failed to take the ATM or any money, leaving empty handed but causing a considerable amount of damage.

"The same night a lorry was stolen from Newent which was later discovered at Redmarley and it is believed the offenders are one of the same and that the stolen lorry was likely stolen to be used in the attempted ATM theft."

Anyone with information should phone 101 and quote incident number 0041S 310816.

Intruders targeted a house garage between 9.30am and 4.30pm on August 31.

The garage door was forced and two motorbikes, a red Honda XR650R and a red and white Honda XR70, were taken.

Anyone with information should phone 101 and quote incident reference 0509S 310816.

There was a burglary at British Camp Road, Colwall, between 8am and noon on August 30.

DC James said: "Offenders forced open a door to a timber outbuilding at an address before stealing a Stihl chainsaw, a Lawn Flight lawnmower and a Stihl strimmer."

The incident reference is 0663S 300816.

Another burglary took place at Yarkhill between 6.30pm on Friday, August 12 and 7.40pm on Saturday August 13, and police believe a 4x4 vehicle was used.

DC James said: "Offenders approached a commercial premises via fields from the A4103 Hereford to Worcester road at Yarkhill to gain access to the rear of a building, where they forced entry.

"Once inside the offenders took circular saws, drills, battery chargers, chainsaws, strimmers, brush cutters and protective clothing."

He added: "We are appealing for anyone who may have seen what is believed to be a 4x4 vehicle driving across the fields off the A4103 on the date in question."

The incident reference is 0149S 130816.