POLICE have issued a warning about "opportunistic" thieves in the wake of a series of thefts and burglaries in Ryedale.

A spate of eight car crimes took place across the district overnight on Sunday.

Two vehicles were broken into by smashing windows and damaging the locks at 11.11pm in Forest Road, Pickering. Entry was not gained. At about midnight in Woodlands Park, Pickering, a van rear door lock was removed, again entry was not gained. In Whitfield Avenue, Pickering, an off-side front window was smashed overnight, but nothing was taken.

A Stihl saw and mobile phone was stolen after the offside front window of a vehicle was smashed in Dean Road, Norton, and in Malton Road, Swinton, a van window was smashed, full entry was not gained and nothing was stolen.

Between midnight and 6am, a van window was smashed and power tools stolen from a van in High Street, Swinton.

In East Lutton, a van rear window was smashed at around 4.30am and Bosch drill stolen.

Last month, between February 19-21, a child's electric John Deere Ground Force mini tractor and trailer worth £260 were stolen from a farm shed in Old Malton. On February 20, a power washer was stolen from a Norton shed.

Overnight that same day, diesel was syphoned out of a vehicle which was parked in West End, Kirkbymoorside. The next day, in the middle of the afternoon, there was an attempted burglary on St Peter Street in Norton where someone forced the window of a house on the street.

A day later, on February 22, there was attempted van theft in East Heslerton and tools were stolen from two vans in Ebberston - including a Dewalt drill set valued at £500. Also on February 22, power tools and gardening equipment were stolen from a shed in Middleton.

Although there is no suggestion these incidents are connected, police have offered advice on theft prevention and have further tips on their website.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "We always advise tradespeople not to leave their tools in their vehicle overnight, take them out and keep them secure, unless they park their vehicle in a securely locked garage. Tools can be worth thousands of pounds and severely impact on a victim’s livelihood.

"Most thieves are opportunists and the more obstacles you put in their way the less likely they are to strike.

"By their location, rural isolated properties are vulnerable to opportunist thieves, always ensure you make them as secure as possible. Consider fitting CCTV if valuable items are stored inside and invest in good quality locks, ensure the buildings are kept in good condition and consider planting to help limit access to them.

"We have lots of crime prevention advice on our website at northyorkshire.police.uk/crimeprevention."