A SPATE of thefts from sheds in the Tidenham area stopped after a man was arrested in Lydney.

The individual from Monmouth is now in prison for unrelated offences and has denied being involved in the shed thefts.

PC Nick Assirati presented figures for thefts from shed for the weeks before and after the arrest – inviting Tidenham parish councillors to draw their own conclusions.

He said that between April 17 and May 31 there were 10 thefts from "non-dwellings" in the area but between June 1 and July 17 there was only one.

PC Assirati added: "As soon as the individual was arrested the burglaries stopped.

"He is now in prison and he has been asked if was involved in the thefts but he has said no.

"It may just be a coincidence that the burglaries stopped."

He added that as a result of the breaks-in the Neighbourhood Watch system in the area had been strengthened.