POLICE believe thieves are targeting woodland around Marlborough in a bid to steal valuable wild flower bulbs, especially bluebells.

They are appealing to the public to report any sightings of people with vans or pick-up trucks acting suspiciously in areas of woodland.

PC Andy Sexton at Marlborough said police were tipped off by a farmer near Ramsbury about a 4x4 pick-up in a wooded area.

Officers stopped the vehicle in Marlborough and found the driver and passenger came from the Kings Lynn area of Norfolk.

Checks with Norfolk police revealed that the pair were known to have been involved in the theft of wild flowers, plants and bulbs, which were then re-sold to the public.

PC Sexton said the two men stopped in Marlborough were believed to have been in the area identifying woods while the bluebells are in flower so that teams could come in later to dig up the bulbs.

He said: "From what we have been told they virtually rape the woodlands and take all the bulbs back to Kings Lynn where they are sold at vast profit.

"We were able to identify the pair we stopped in Marlborough using leads from Norfolk police who are aware of their operation.

"We believe they were in Wiltshire to identify potential areas of woodland where bluebells and other wild flowers can be found. They may return with people to dig up the bulbs."

Anyone who sees suspicious activity in the woods should ring Marlborough police on (01672) 512311.