Spate of break-ins prompts reminder to close windows
Residents are being urged to keep any unattended ground floor windows closed following a spate of burglaries in the city. Burglars crept in through the ground floor window of at least two properties recently, and on one occasion used a garden spade to force the door open at one home. Avon and Somerset Constabulary is urging residents to take care in the hot weather in the wake of these incidents. A spokesman said: “We want to remind homeowners to lock away any tools or other items that could help someone break into your home, especially ladders that could reach an open first-floor window, and spades or similar tools that could be used to force entry. “Always close and lock any unattended doors and windows.” Three burglaries took place on Tuesday, July 17, and two the following day. On July 17 between 9.15am and 11.30am, an unknown person(s) used a garden spade to force the outer back door of a house in Eastfield Avenue, Upper Weston. They kicked out the lower panel of the inner door to enter the home. Every room was searched and a quantity of cash stolen. The reference number to use for anyone with information is 5218159202. During the night a car was broken into while parked on College Road. Property was stolen from the boot. It is thought the vehicle had been left unlocked (reference number 5218160501). Also that same night, someone forced entry to a garage in Richmond Road, causing damage to the door in the process. Nothing was stolen as it seems the offender was frightened off when the homeowner’s large dog started barking (reference number 5218160613). The following day, Wednesday, July 18, a home in Locksbrook Road was entered between 2.30am and 10am, when someone used an open front window to enter the property. A tidy search was made and a wallet and cash was stolen (reference number 5218160400). At around 3.30pm that day, the resident of a flat in Pera Road, Walcot, heard a noise in another room. When they went to investigate it was found someone had entered the lounge through an open window and stolen cash and cards from a purse (reference number 5218160509). If you have information regarding these incidents, call the police on 101, quoting the reference number. Or you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.