FROM pushbikes and power tools to mowers to jewellery, thieves targeting sheds and garages in Monmouthshire have enjoyed some rich pickings.

Police recovered this mass of property - worth more than £50,000 - after a string of arrests in connection with shed and garage burglaries.

Although the haul - which includes two quad bikes and two cars - is substantial, one leading detective admits it is a "small drop in the ocean" following a shed burglary epidemic in rural areas.

As many as five sheds and garages a night are being burgled in Monmouthshire, with remote villages around Gilwern and Usk being hit particularly hard.

Petrol chainsaws, strimmers and mowers are the most common items to be taken by the thieves.

Anybody who has had property stolen over the last couple of months is being urged to go along to Pontypool police station to see if it has been recovered.

Three men from the Pontypool area have been charged in connection with a number of the burglaries.

Detective Sergeant Howard Salmon said: "Over the past couple of months there has been a huge increase in the number of commercial burglaries, in particular sheds and garages.

"Even though a number of arrests have been made the problem still continues. The haul that we have recovered is in excess of £50,000, but it is still a drop in the ocean compared with what is actually going on." He warned people to make sure their property is secured.

Abergavenny councillor Verona Nelmes said: "There is a real concern in the rural area about such burglaries.

"A lot of the police force's strength is directed at Usk town centre - especially on weekends.

"I know they cannot be in two places at once, but it is very worrying."