Oamaru police have issued a warning following a spike in thefts of chainsaws and fuel from rural sites.

Sergeant Tony Woodbridge, of Oamaru, says people need to make sure they keep items of value out of sight and locked up.

He urges people to be cautious if they are buying chainsaws, fuel or firewood at prices that could be too good to be true.

Recently, 20 hay bales were stolen from a barn in Gardiners Rd, Awamoa and a chainsaw and fuel was stolen from a Fernbrook Rd property.