POLICE have warned of a significant increase in rural crime in areas surrounding Calne, including the theft of three Mitsubishi 4x4s.

The three vehicles were stolen between August 20 and September 9 from near to the owners’ home addresses in Cherhill, Quemerford and Hilmarton at night.

The third vehicle, a Mitsubishi 4x4 Shogun, was stolen after thieves cut a section of a metal gate and a lock.

Since September 1, there have been seven other reports of rural crime including more than £4,000 worth of tools stolen from a vehicle in Embry Close near Calne between September 8 and 9.

A Cropcom laser level worth £2,000-plus, two Nikita drill sets, a £750 disc cutter, chainsaw, nail gun and tripod stand were all taken.

WPC Sonya Stockhill, Community Beat Manager for Calne Rural, said: “We are actively patrolling all locations on the rural area of Calne to combat this.”

Overnight on September 17 and 18, offenders smashed patio doors at business premises in Calstone to gain entry.

On the same night, a burglary was committed in Hilmarton at a business where a safe was ripped from its mountings and removed.

On September 7, a clutch bag, inside a handbag hidden underneath the front passenger seat, was stolen at a layby on the A4 near Cherhill after the driver’s side window was smashed in.

Anyone with information about these and other crimes is asked to call 101.