BURGLARS are targeting garden sheds and summerhouses and stealing bicycles, power tools, and in one case, a games console.

Two sheds, in Church Corner, Benfleet, were targeted on Monday. The first shed was unlocked and burglars stole a grey Daws mountain bike, a silver women’s bike and a golf bag worth a total of £580. The second shed was locked and burglars smashed a padlock and stole bikes worth £550.

Crooks also broke into a locked shed in Goya Rise, Shoebury, the same day and stole £1,000 of power tools.

Essex Police spokesman Alan Jones said: “Always lock your shed. If you’ve got easily transportable items, try to secure them within the shed, by chaining them up or investing in a security box, or a cage.”