We have just received a Police Bulletin alerting all homeowners that eight domestic burglaries have occurred in the North Somerset area during the past two weeks.

The report states:

“Thieves have gained access via back gardens and have gained access by removing the glass from windows and through unlocked windows.

In three of the break-ins they have stolen vehicle keys to take a Golf GTI, a Ford Focus and a BMW 320. The BMW was recovered by police in South Bristol on Wednesday August 27 2008. A 30-year-old Bristol man was arrested on suspicion of the theft of three cars and two burglaries and has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Also stolen have been bank cards, games consoles, cash, mobile phones, bags, laptop computers, flat screen televisions, watches, DVD players, a pushchair, clothing, jewellery, sunglasses, cameras and a £3,000 tenor saxophone.

PC Morris’ top tips to deter burglars are:

• Close and lock doors and windows and don’t leave keys in the lock
• Look at your home through the eyes of a burglar. Can you see valuables like a flat screen television through the windows? That could make your home a target
• Hide your car keys – you wouldn’t leave hundreds of pounds lying around and how much is your car worth?
• Install security lighting and an alarm and set them at night as well as when you are out
• Secure your boundaries – make sure fences are sturdy and gates fitted good quality hinges and locks
• Use prickly planting to protect your home
• Mark your property – this deters thieves because they know police will be able to prove it has been stolen.
• Many property-marking products are available, including Smartwater visit www.smartwater.com for more information
• Visit www.secureyourmanor.org or contact your local Police Community Support Officer on 0845 456 7000 for more home security advice”

We have also been very busy responding to alarm activations on commercial and domestic properties – some are attributable to alarm faults which need to be addressed, but other activations are clearly a result of attempted break-ins.

Schools have been targeted during the holidays, with only one successful burglary – the burglars were in and back out again within five minutes as they knew where to find the equipment. At one of the schools, Police Dogs and the Police Helicopter were called in to help track down the unsuccessful thief.

Our emergency response is successful in thwarting thieves attempts to break in. We are organised in such a way that we are able to proceed to the activation immediately the alert is raised, without any delays.