A LARGE amount of gardening equipment has been stolen from properties in a Basingstoke village.

The garage of a house in Upton Grey was broken into, and thieves stole three chainsaws, two strimmers, two leaf blowers and a hedge trimmer from the property.

The incident took place between 4.45pm and 6.45pm on Saturday, January 14.

Elsewhere in the village, another property was targeted, when thieves forced entry into a garden shed and stole a Mountfield lawn mower.

Police believe this incident was likely to have happened on the same day as the other crime.

PC Andrew Reid from Basingstoke CID said: “I appeal to all residents that as Spring approaches to please make sure your outbuildings are secure, have good locks and alarms if possible.

“We do see an increase in garden sheds etc being broken into during this part of the year and the thefts of garden equipment.

“Please record the machines serial number, scratch or mark your postcode on the machine, probably visible so it is more identifiable and take a photograph of it just in case it was ever stolen.”

If anyone has any information regarding either incident they should contact Basingstoke CID on 101 quoting the reference numbers 44170017649 and  44170024264.