Frome and Radstock residents are being urged to take extra security measures after a spate of shed and garage break-ins.
Since May 9 there has been 14 reported incidents in Frome, Radstock, Wellow and Norton St Philip, and four of those break-ins took place in Hinton Charterhouse and Freshford.
Garden power tools and bicycles are among the items stolen.
Police believe the crimes could be linked.
Neighbourhood teams have been carrying out house-to-house inquiries and offering crime prevention advice to residents.
Talks are taking place with officers in Wiltshire where seven similar offences have been reported in nearby Winsley and Bradford on Avon.
Radstock Inspector Shirley Eden said: "We are asking people in the Freshford area to tell us if they have noticed anyone or anything suspicious – people who look out of place or vehicles you don't recognise.
"We particularly want to hear about a man who was selling items door-to-door on Saturday afternoon, May 11.
"He's white and in his 20s with blond or ginger hair. He wasn't local, and he spoke with a distinct north-eastern accent."
Anyone with any information or concerns is asked to call Radstock police on 101.
