Police are appealing for information following a high value burglary at a house in Beaufort Crescent, Stoke Gifford, between 10am and 5.30pm on Friday 6th April.
Thieves smashed a patio window with a rock to gain access to the property and stole a significant amount of high value gold jewellery, watches, cash in Sterling, Euros and Iranian currency and personal papers.
Crime scene investigators have examined the property and officers have carried out house-to-house and enquiries, however no arrests have been made.
A police spokesperson told the Journal that enquiries are continuing.
Anyone with information which could help the police investigation is asked to get in touch with officers, either through the Contact page on the Avon and Somerset Police website or by calling 101, quoting reference 5218073152.
Alternatively, ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call. You could even qualify for a reward and still remain anonymous.
Burglary spate across the Stokes
The journal can reveal that the Beaufort Crescent incident is just one of eight jewellery burglaries since 1st April across the Stokes and Patchway area.
In Stoke Gifford there have been five further burglaries in which jewellery was taken – two in Sandringham Road, one in New Road, one in Travers Walk and one in Fabian Drive. There was also a second burglary in Fabian Drive in which nothing was taken.
In Bradley Stoke, high value jewellery was stolen in a burglary at a property in Ellicks Close on 10th April. A jewellery box taken in this raid, along with with a small amount of jewellery, was found in Cornfield Close, Bradley Stoke on 20th April.
Police are also investigating a jewellery burglary at a property in Elm Hayes Road, Charlton Hayes (Patchway) on 19th April. The Bristol Post has reported that £17,000 worth of gold jewellery and watches was stolen in this incident.
A 34-year-old man of no fixed abode has been arrested and charged with a burglary on 17th April in which jewellery was stolen from a property in Fabian Drive, Stoke Gifford. He appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ court on 18th April and was remanded in custody for trial in May.
Home security advice
Police urge anyone with family gold or other high value jewellery to:
- Keep high-value jewellery with a specialist secure storage company – thieves have been known to steal entire safes from homes
- Keep photographs and a description of items with sentimental value
- Use a traceable asset marking liquid on jewellery or antiques
- Keep cash in the bank, not at home
- Lock up and set the alarm at night as well as when you go out
- Hide your keys and handbag or wallet safely out of sight
- Never leave keys in the back of the door or window
- Keep tools locked up in a secure shed or garage
- Make sure garden furniture and wheelie bins can’t be moved to gain access to upstairs windows
- Join Neighbourhood Watch
A police spokesperson added:
“We can all help to keep our communities safe by keeping our homes secure, joining Neighbourhood Watch and, just as importantly, reporting suspicious incidents as they happen.”
“Remember, if you see someone acting suspiciously around a neighbour’s property, call the police straight away. If they’re obviously breaking in, ring 999. Otherwise, call the non-emergency number 101: police operators are on hand 24/7.”
More home security advice, including information on joining Neighbourhood Watch, can be found on the police website, www.avonandsomerset.police.uk
