POLICE are warning residents after four burglaries took place in South Gloucestershire on the same afternoon (June 7). 

The first happened in the Kings Drive area of Stoke Gifford, between 12.30pm and 1.50pm.

Burglars used a spade which did not belong to the household to smash a window before stealing a purse containing cash and cards. 

The second burglary took place between 2.30pm and 5.30pm.

Thieves used a plant pot to smash the patio door of a house near Shield Road Primary School in Northville before making off with cash, bank cards and a laptop.

A witness said they saw a man, who was described as white, in his 30s and between 5ft 8ins and 5ft 10ins tall, acting suspiciously in the area just after 3pm. 

Officers were then called at 3pm to a house in Rock Lane, Stoke Gifford.

They discovered that another window had been smashed, but no entry gained. 

A witness spotted a slim man in his late 20s making off from the house.

The final burglary took place at a house in Sherbourne Avenue, Bradley Stoke.

The thief was discovered when the householder arrived home.

House-to-house enquiries found that a witness had seen a man in a neighbouring garden at about 3.30pm

Neighbourhood Inspector Clive Summerill said: “We know that one of the best deterrents is for criminals to know that residents in a neighbourhood look out for one another and report suspicious incidents – that’s why Neighbourhood Watch helps to keep communities safe.

"I’d ask anyone who spots something that doesn’t seem right around a neighbour’s property to get in touch with us immediately.

"Remember, if you see someone acting suspiciously around a neighbour’s property, call us straight away. If they’re obviously breaking in, ring 999.

"Otherwise, call the non-emergency number 101: our operators are on hand 24/7."

Anyone with information which could help police enquiries into these burglaries is asked to get in touch online, or by calling 101, quoting reference 5217127699 (Kings Drive area); 5217127883 (Rock Lane); 5217127921 (Northville) or 5217128272 (Bradley Stoke).