CRIME prevention experts have issued a warning about a series of sneak-in burglaries and thefts of gardening tools.

As warmer weather encourages people outside to work on their gardens, householders are advised to lock their doors even when they are at home, and to secure their garden tools, which are being stolen and then sold on.

Crime prevention officer Terry Belshaw said about a month ago there had been a spate of walk-in or sneak-in thefts and burglaries in the Queen's Road and Serpentine Road areas of Kendal, when a young man had been opening doors and rifling through coats in hallways. Householders had been advised to lock their doors when at home.

A woman in Serpentine Road has twice seen a man in her house, most recently earlier this week. He walked in the front door and out of the back door and, when challenged, was deliberately vague, denied wrongdoing and said he worked for the electricity board as a sub-contractor.

The man is described as aged around 30, tall, with red hair, and was carrying some sort of small electronic device.

Mr Belshaw said: "We would like residents to be aware and take adequate precautions, keep their doors locked and be wary of anybody who comes to the door purporting to be from one of the utility companies."

Mr Belshaw also reported a spate of thefts of tools from works vans all over Kendal and on the outskirts of town. The vans are being targeted because they contain valuable power tools and other items. Following the thefts there have been reports of people in vans touring building sites and even knocking on doors trying to sell tools.

"We are asking the public and anybody who has any information to come forward with car numbers and descriptions of people coming to sell tools," said Mr Belshaw.

He also reminded householders that garden tools and power tools kept in sheds and outbuildings were valuable and therefore vulnerable to thieves. Ideally, tools should be readily identifiable and marked with an address.

Mr Belshaw said it was the time of year when people undertook gardening and DIY jobs, and prospective workmen were calling door-to-door offering services. He said people should be aware of "bogus" workmen, who would not complete the work, or would do it badly and charge extortionate rates, or could simply be looking at the house for a future burglary.

He recommended that householders should make contact with trades-men themselves. Mr Belshaw is available to give crime prevention advice and can be contacted at Kendal police station on 01539-722611.

May 29, 2003 17:00