A series of raids targeting high-value machinery in Co Tyrone could be linked, police have said.

Detectives are investigating the spate of thefts in the Aughnacloy area.

The incidents were all reported between September 26 and October 11.

In the first incident, sometime between 10pm on September 25 and 8am on September 26, entry was gained to a property in the Whitelough Road area of Aughnacloy. Power tools and a television were taken by the thieves.

Sometime between 9pm on September 25 and 7am on September 27, it was reported that a Top Soil Screening machine was taken from an outbuilding at the Legilly Road area near Dungannon. Police also received a report shortly before 8.20am on September 30 of damage to a excavator parked at the Whitelough Road area of Aughnacloy.

Then police received a report that sometime between 5pm on September 29 and 8am on September 30 that a red Honda quadbike was stolen from the Glencrew Road area of Aughnacloy.

In a further incident, between September 27 and September 30, it was reported that a greaser and a strimmer were stolen from an outhouse at the Curlagh Road area of Aughnacloy.

Shortly after 3.50am on October 9, it was reported that a green Yamaha quadbike was stolen from the Dunmacmay Road area of Aughnacloy.

In a further incident, sometime between 9:45pm on October 10 and 7.45am on October 11, it was reported to police that two trailers had been moved and a John Deer Gator 855D had been stolen from the Dunmacmay Road area of Aughnacloy. A Spectra site-level and Dewault router were also reported stolen from an outbuilding in the area.

Police received a report that a set of aluminium step ladders and a Stihl leaf blower were taken from an unoccupied farm building located at the Derrycourtney Road area of Aughnacloy sometime between 3pm on October 10 and 9am on October 11.

Detective Sergeant Curley said: “Enquiries are continuing but at this stage, police are investigating a potential link between these incidents.

“We would ask the local community to be vigilant when securing their property in rural areas.

“Rural crime severely impacts the farm business, and Police want to remind farmers to be vigilant at this time of year.”