Commercial burglaries in Okehampton and rural thefts in the area feature in this week’s police desk.

• THERE were two commercial burglaries in Okehampton last week. In one, a thief was disturbed while breaking into a mobile phone shop and made off with several phones and in another a chemist was targeted and a quantity of drugs were stolen.

Police have arrested a 38-year-old man who lives in the town. He has been charged with both of these burglaries and remanded in custody to appear before a court. The man is thought to be a drug user and has also asked for a number of other theft offences to be taken into consideration by the court.

• Following a theft of kerosene in Liftondown, police are warning local people to keep their eyes peeled for suspicious activity and to double check the security of their oil tanks.

A hedge was damaged to gain access to the tank and the top of the tank was also damaged by the thieves in the process of taking the fuel.

Police said thefts like this require a little time to carry out – in this case more than usual as it was necessary to force a way through a hedge. Professionals often use a small generator to power a pump in order to empty the tank quickly. If you have any idea who is responsible contact police on 101, quoting crime reference number CR/10790/17.

• A trailer was removed from a field at Folly Gate where it was being stored, between February 14 and 17. It is described as bare aluminium with twin wheels and ramps and has a spare wheel bolted to the side. CR/11851/16.

• Thieves managed to gain entry to Hameldown Business Park in Okehampton after 7am on Sunday, February 19 and forced open two doors into an office and a toilet.

No property was stolen, though there were signs of a search. If you saw anyone in the area please contact the police. CR/12503/17.