FISHING gear worth about £4,000 has been stolen in two thefts, one of them at a local school.

First, gear worth about £1,500 was stolen a van left in the car park of Warneford School in Highworth.

Then equipment worth about £2,500 was taken in a garage burglary at Home Farm, also in Highworth.

In both cases, other high value equipment present was not stolen, and Swindon police spokeswoman Alvina Kumar said detectives believed the thefts were linked.

The thieves struck in the Warneford School car park at some time between 1pm on August 26 and 7.30am on August 27.

They were at Home Farm at some time between September 8 and 9.

Anybody with information is asked to contact PC Colin Townsend or PC Danny Cox on Swindon 762251 or ring the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.