A STOLEN caravan, trailer and horsebox, which had been taken from the Thornbury and Alveston area in recent days, have been recovered by police.

The items, worth more than £8,000 combined, were seized from an address in Avonmouth yesterday.

The trailer was stolen from the outskirts of Thornbury on Monday, February 6, while the horsebox was taken from Earthcott Green overnight, between February 8-9

The caravan was reported stolen from Tockington a day later on Friday, February 10.

Sergeant Ryan Matthews said: "One thing which helped us make these seizures today was that the owners had recorded the serial numbers and had taken photographs of their property.

“This meant the officers were quickly able to confirm their suspicions that the items were stolen and enabled us to recover them.

"I would always recommend making your property identifiable, by permanently marking it with your postcode or using a commercially-available forensic marking kit.

“You can also register the serial numbers of items. This deters thieves, because they know we will be able to prove the property is stolen - and of course helps us to return items to their rightful owners."

Officers have asked for anyone with information that could assist their investigations to contact them by calling 101 and quoting reference 5217030315.

Information can also be given anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

More crime prevention advice can be found at www.aspolicestaysafe.co.uk/subject/rural-crime/

Serial numbers of items can be registered online at www.immobilise.co.uk.