Six schools in Canterbury have been burgled in one night - just months after a similar spate of break-ins.

Police are appealing for people to be extra vigilant after most recent series of crimes.

Outbuildings and storage containers were targeted by raiders who stole gardening equipment, ladders and a petrol generator.

All the burglaries happened outside school hours and police are urging people to report any suspicious activity immediately.

A container and shed at a school in Pilgrims' Way Primary School, Canterbury, were broken into some time between 5.30pm on Tuesday and 6.30am on Wednesday.

A hedge trimmer was stolen.

Burglars targeted a shipping container at Canterbury High School in Knight Avenue, Canterbury, between 2pm on Tuesday and 6.30am on Wednesday.

An electric strimmer and a leaf blower were among the items taken.

A lock and doors were damaged but nothing was taken when intruders broke into storage buildings at Archbishop's School in St Stephen’s Hill, Canterbury, between 9pm on Tuesday and 5.30am on Wednesday.

Burglars who broke into a tool shed at Junior King's School in Milner Court, Sturry, between 9pm on Tuesday and 8am on Wednesday stole a long reach hedge cutter, two short reach hedge cutters, three backpack blowers, a petrol generator, a petrol pressure washer and a large set of ladders.

A padlock and doors were damaged but nothing was stolen when intruders broke into Blean Primary School in Whitstable Road, Blean, between 1am and 1.30am on Wednesday.

A ladder was stolen from an outbuilding at Orchard School in Cambridge Road, Canterbury, between 6pm on Tuesday and 9am on Wednesday.

Police Constable Colette Todd of the Canterbury Community Safety Unit said: "Local officers have been contacting schools to alert them about the incidents and to give crime prevention advice.

"We are linking the offences and are keen to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity at the schools or who has been offered similar items for sale.

"Three men in a small white van were seen at the school in Whitstable Road, Blean, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw the men or the van that night."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01843 222289 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference ZY/34632/16.

To report suspicious activity phone 101 or 999 a crime is in progress.

Schools across the Canterbury district were put on high alert in March this year after six suffered raids in less than a week.

Thieves broke into the grounds of Archbishop's School, Orchard School, Spires Academy in Westbere, Herne Bay High School, Chartham Primary School and Reculver Primary School.

In each case they targeted sheds and containers and stole gardening and maintenance equipment.