A GANG of teenage thieves have raided around 40 unlocked garages and cars in just one week.

Police have issued a stark warning to home and vehicle owners to put their valuables under lock and key, after officers in West Swindon were inundated with reports of possessions being stolen.

The haul is thought to include thousands of pounds’ worth of tools, photography equipment and laptops – with the vast majority of thefts from unlocked vehicles and garage doors.

The news comes just days after the Adver reported a police operation in the town centre on Friday aimed at highlighting the issue.

Of the streets affected, Bosworth Road in Grange Park, was the worst hit as a suspected gang of teenagers burgled 12 cars and garages on just one night.

Other roads targeted include Liskeard Way, Chudleigh and Langport Close, all in Freshbrook, and Queenborough, Tattershall and Beaulieu Close, in Toothill.

There were 39 reported burglaries in total between February 15 and yesterday.

PC Stephen Yeates, neighbourhood beat manager for West Swindon South, said people could take easy steps to avoid being a victim.

“The one thing better than a detected crime is no crime at all,” he said.

“The message we want to get across is of crime prevention and people need to lock their garages and their cars.

“Take all the valuables out of sight and don’t even put them in the boot because we have seen a number of expensive items taken, including thousands of pounds of photography equipment.

“Also when parking your car on the driveway park it right against the garage door to stop it being opened.

“Victims have said to me they had too much to do or they forgot to lock up, but I would say don’t put it off, don’t think it’s not going to happen to me.”

PC Yeates said he suspected the culprits were teenagers operating in a small group.

He said: “We have modified our patrols to this series of incidents, most of which happen in the early hours of the morning.

“We would much rather catch them in the act than once they’ve done it, but I suspect there is a small group of opportunists and it does not take long for them to try a few door handles.

“They could be in the area for maybe a couple of minutes and so our window of opportunity is slim.

“This is an opportunist crime and I suspect they are local people so I would urge anyone to come forward with any information.”

Anyone with any information or believes they have been a victim of this type of crime in West Swindon should contact the West Swindon South NPT on 0845 408 7000 or on Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.