Police are investigating three recent burglaries and one attempted breakin where garden sheds were targeted and bikes and power tools among items stolen.

Police Constable Deb Wheeler, the investigating officer, said: “We want local people to be aware of what’s happening and to do everything possible to tighten up on security.

“In some cases, the sheds were locked and their doors forced open but in others, the doors had been left insecure.”

The latest incident happened overnight Thursday into Friday at a home in Liverpool Road where a white Raleigh Lite bike with blue wheels was stolen. On Wednesday night, a thief climbed over a fence into a garden in Brownlow Street, entered a shed and made off on a yellow Viking mountain bike worth £200.

A few days earlier, the padlock on a wooden garage in Claypit Street was cut and a chainsaw and petrol strimmer worth a total of £350 stolen. And at the end of January, an attempt was made to break into a shed at a house in Wrexham Road.

PC Wheeler is advising residents to be vigilant and to report any suspicious people or vehicles by dialling 101. “Any car that is not familiar to residents and appears to be ‘hanging around’ should be reported to police so it can be checked out.

“The same goes for any people you do not recognise and who seem to be acting suspiciously in your street. In an emergency or if there is a crime in progress, dial 999”.