Police are advising residents to 'be aware' and take simple crime prevention measures after a series of shed break-ins in Harold Hill and Harold Wood.

In most cases, lawn mowers or bicycles were stolen. Police warned that the thefts may continue into the summer months.

"We don't want people to worry, but with the car-boot sale season approaching, thieves can sell such goods relatively easily.

''This type of theft is likely to become more common," said Sgt Mick Adamson of Harold Hill Police.

"We would advise people to be aware, and make sure that sheds are locked and their property is secured.

''Electrical equipment and bikes should also be properly marked to allow easy identification."

Last week alone, police dealt with six cases of theft from sheds or garages in the Harold area, as well as several attempted break-ins. In one case, a Ransom Rahhn sit-on lawnmower worth £800 was stolen from a shed in Priory Road, Harold Hill, and a petrol generator valued at £500 was taken together with a mountain bike from a garage in Sackville Crescent, Harold Wood.

Ironically, this latest trend coincides with the release of Metropolitan Police crime figures for 1998/99, showing burglary at its lowest level in 20 years.

The incidence of burglaries in the Harold area has also fallen over the last year.

Sgt Adamson attributed this not just to high-profile police initiatives such as Operation Bumblebee, but to the vigilance of Neighbourhood Watch schemes and the Crime Prevention Panel.

"These figures show that Havering has one of the lowest crime rates in Greater London, and that is obviously very pleasing, but we do not want people to be complacent," he said.

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