Police are linking eight burglaries in Branscombe after a spate of offences across the village in December.

Power tools and other property worth over £3,000 were stolen from sheds and outbuildings across the month.

Police believe the burglaries were carried out over Thursday, December 11, and Friday, December 12.

PC Steve Speariett said: “It is sad to see 2014 end with an increase in crime. This is mainly due to a mini-crime spree in Branscombe, which had eight reported crimes.

“It is very likely that all these crimes were committed at the same time by the same offenders.”

A Roubaix bike worth £2,000 was taken from a securely locked garden shed between 2pm on Monday, December 8, and 9am on Friday, December 12. Police found the padlock had been removed.

Anyone with information should call the police on 101, quoting crime reference number CR/129517/14.

A Land Rover was broken into and power tools - including two chain saws and an angle grinder – were taken. The owner had marked his property with the name ‘EMLEC’. Crime reference: CR/129752/14.

Another burglary took place in the village on Tuesday, December 9, between 7.30am and 2pm. Pneumatic equipment totalling more than £1,000 was removed from a storage unit, including a trench rammer, a black petrol generator and a jackhammer worth £700. Crime reference: CR/129164/14.

Damage was caused to the outside of a farm building between Thursday, December 11, and Friday, December 12. Crime reference: CR/129474/14.

There were also an attempt to break into a garden shed, as well as two further break-ins where tools and gardening equipment were taken.

Officer Speariett said: “We do not have any further lines of enquiry, but would appeal for the community to be vigilant.”

Police recorded 20 incidents in 2014 for Branscombe. For six months, no crime was recorded.

? Anyone with information is urged to contact Seaton Police Station on 101, by email at seaton@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk, or you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.