POLICE are warning people living on farms and in rural properties to remain vigilant against opportunistic thieves, who may target such residences after a series of crimes in West Devon.

Agricultural machinery, diesel, expensive power tools, quad bikes and tools left in sheds, barns and outbuildings have been a common target of thieves in recent months.

In West Devon over the last three months, £1,000 of heating fuel was stolen from a Beaworthy property, riding equipment and tools were stolen from stables in the Jacobstowe area, a farm shed was broken into in Bere Alston and power tools were stolen from a shed in Gulworthy, with numerous other rural crimes also taking place.

Okehampton Police have offered some simple advice on how to protect your property.

For outbuildings:

* Lock all doors and windows when buildings are unsupervised.

* Put up a gate and lock the entrance to your estate.

* Use security lighting to ward off thieves.

* Consider installing an alarm system, timer switches for lights and if appropriate, CCTV.

* Mark all your property. Advice on how to do this is available on the Devon and Cornwall Police website.

For vehicles, equipment and fuel:

* Immobilise or lock farm vehicles away.

* Never leave keys in the ignition of a vehicle.

* Keep all tools and equipment locked away.

* Mark and register all tools and equipment. Advice on how to do this is available on the Devon and Cornwall Police website.

* Consider fitting tracking devices to your vehicles.

* Lock fuel tanks and hide containers. Consider a fuel tank alarm, improved lighting around tanks or installing CCTV if appropriate.

For scrap metal:

* Don’t leave any scrap metal lying around. Mark valuable metal such as lead and copper.

* Paint a distinctive mark on gates and take photos. Dispose of scrap metal regularly and properly.

For livestock:

* Monitor livestock regularly.

* Record details of suspicious people or vehicles and contact police.

* Keep photos of your horses taken in summer and winter.

* Join the Farm Watch and Horse Watch schemes.

Farm Watch look after property through the sharing of intelligence between the community and the police.

They provide a ring-round service, encourage neighbours to look out for each other and give officers an opportunity to get to know their local community.

They also provide property marking and crime prevention advice.

Horse Watch members work together to reduce theft of horses, ponies and equestrian equipment. If you would like to join, visit the Watch Scheme pages.

If you see vehicles or people loitering, or potentially looking for opportunities, call police.

For more information on improving security, visit www.devon-cornwall.police.uk