GARDEN shed thieves are being hunted by a police helicopter.

Officers are taking to the skies to spot people with a thermal imaging after break-ins in the Chalfonts.

Homes which back onto railway lines are particularly at risk, they warned.

Meanwhile, police are searching for burglars who got into a High Wycombe house - when the front door was left open.

The Chalfonts break-ins were happening between midnight and 3am said Sgt Simon West.

Raiders cut chain link fences to break into greenhouses and sheds, he said.

Sgt Simon West said: "Neighbourhood officers are conducting high visibility patrols in the area and the force helicopter, when in the area, is also using thermal imaging to detect people in open spaces."

He added: "We have had more than ten shed break-ins across the Chalfont St Peter and Little Chalfont area and it would seem that those responsible are after specific gardening tools.

"On more than one occasion they have left expensive items in the shed in favour of lawnmowers, hedge trimmers and leaf blowers."

"They also appear to be using the railway as many of the gardens back on to the railway lines.

Sheds should be locked, Sgt West said. He also urged homeowners to place prickly bushes under shed windows to deter thieves.

Last night at 7pm burglars stole a handbag from a house in Challoner Road, Booker, High Wycombe.

They got in through an open front door before taking the handbag and its contents from the kitchen sideboard.

The owner's blue Natwest card-holder was found in a footpath bin close to Cressex Community School, Holmers Lane.

Anyone with information can contact PC Sam Lewis on 0845 8 505 505 or Crimestoppers anonymously of 0800 555 111.