POLICE are hunting burglars who broke into a council depot and stole tools valued at £18,000.

Strimmers, chainsaws, blowers and hedge cutters were among items stolen from six outbuildings at the Troy waste recycling and street service site in Monmouth.

Police say the theft took place some time between April 20 and 30 and are appealing for information.

The Monmouthshire Council depot is on the B4293 beside the A40 Gibralter Hill tunnels, opposite the entrance to the Jacobean Troy House mansion.

Anyone offered cheap tools like those reported stolen is asked to call Gwent police on 101 log 56 30/04/18.

Meanwhile, Gloucestershire Police have issued a warning after two distraction burglaries in the Forest last Tuesday (May 15).

A force spokesperson said: “At around 1pm two men knocked the door of an elderly woman’s home in Lydbrook and discussed work which they said needed to be done to the pipes of her property. 

“While one man kept the victim talking, the other entered the premises and stole jewellery and hundreds of pounds’ worth of cash from within.

“In a separate and similar incident later that afternoon a woman in her 90s had cash stolen from a purse in her bedroom while a man was talking to her about pipes and guttering work.

“One of the offenders is believed to be aged in his 50s and is believed to have left in a dark coloured hatchback type vehicle.”

Police are asking the public to warn elderly or vulnerable neighbours, friends and relatives following these incidents.

If you have any information call 101 quoting incident 224 of 15 May (Lydbrook) or 308 of 15 May (Coleford).