Police thank neighbours following Wheatfield Drive attempted burglary

Wheatfield Drive, Bradley Stoke, Bristol.

Police are thanking communities in Bradley Stoke and Yate for looking out for their neighbours after two attempted burglaries.

On Tuesday 22nd November, a woman was walking back to her home in Wheatfield Drive, Bradley Stoke, at about 5.40pm, when she realised there were people inside the property.

She went to a neighbour who immediately called the police. Three men made off from the house, empty-handed, and escaped through neighbouring gardens.

Other residents came forward to say the three men made off in a dark-coloured Ford Focus.

They were described as:

  1. A 6ft tall man, slim, wearing a grey hoody with the hood up and with his face covered
  2. A man about 5ft 4ins tall, of stockier build than the first, again wearing a grey hoody and with his face covered
  3.  A 6ft tall man of slight built with his face covered

Later the same night, at about 6.20pm, officers were called to a house off Gravel Hill Road, Yate, after a householder reported hearing a burglar alarm and seeing two men make off from a neighbour’s property.

The caller said the men had jumped over the wall and made off onto Gravel Hill Road. Officers attended and carried out an area search with no trace of the suspects. It’s thought the offenders were disturbed by the alarm sounding and again nothing was stolen.

Attending officers found that in each case the would-be thieves had broken in through a rear door. House-to-house enquiries have been made and there has been a forensic examination of the properties.

Investigating officer Dai Nicholas said:

“It’s great to see people looking out for their neighbours in this way and I’d like to thank everyone involved. Having communities where residents actively support one another does deter criminals, as we see with Neighbourhood Watch. We’re investigating both these incidents and I would ask anyone with any information which could help to get in touch, quoting reference 5216259804.”

You can contact police through their website, www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact, or by calling 101. Alternatively ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.

Officers always recommend:

  • Locking up and setting the alarm, if you have one, at night as well as when you go out
  • Hiding your keys and handbag or wallet safely out of sight never leaving your keys in the back of the door
  • Keeping jewellery and other high-value items in a ground-anchored safe which has been tested and approved by locksmiths – find out more at www.soldsecure.com
  • Keeping photographs and a description of items with sentimental value
  • Using a traceable asset marking liquid on items like jewellery or antiques
  • Using timer light switches to make it look like there’s someone home
  • Fitting motion sensing security lights around your property

A police spokesperson added:

“All these things add up to put a burglar off targeting your home – as does joining or setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. There’s more home security advice on the police website.”

Photo: Image from the Journal’s archive.

Source: Press release from Avon and Somerset Police.

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