Police are investigating a number of burglaries on farming properties in the Clutha and Gore districts, with offenders targeting fuel and farm equipment.

Sergeant Tim Coudret from Southern District Police is asking people in rural areas to report anything out of the ordinary — immediately if it’s happening, or afterwards if you discover it later.

“If you see something, say something,” he said. “Look around you and let us know if you notice something, or someone, out of the ordinary.”

Police say suspicious or illegal activity should be reported to 111 if it’s happening now, or to 105 if it’s after the fact.

Coudret also urged farmers to tighten security: keep sheds and fuel stores locked even when you’re on the property, keep in touch with neighbours, and update inventories of gear with model and serial numbers to help investigators track stolen items.

“We’ve had an increase in reports of burglaries lately,” he said. “If it looks dodgy it probably is dodgy, no matter how minor, we want to know.”

Police did not say how many burglaries have been reported or over what timeframe. Anyone with information or relevant CCTV/dashcam footage is encouraged to contact Police on 105.