North Otago's rural community has been warned to be vigilant following a spate of thefts.
During the past two weeks, a shed on Gardiners Rd was forced open and tools removed from a trailer, and a garage was forced open at a Beach Rd property and a chainsaw stolen.
Other recent thefts included an irrigation pump taken from a Works Rd property, and a fertiliser spreader taken from a property near Five Forks, Senior Constable Bruce Dow, of Oamaru, said.
Stock had also been taken from properties and killed.
"One of our patrols came across the fresh remains, still steaming in the cold of the night, of a sheep on a rural road recently," he said.
Snr Const Dow warned the farming community to alert police and neighbours if they had suspicions regarding vehicles or people's behaviour.
"Ring police at the time, not later when you have had a think about it. Keep in close contact with your neighbours."
