POLICE in South Gloucestershire are investigating a number of burglaries which took place overnight between Wednesday and Thursday in South Gloucestershire, Bristol and Keynsham.

Each of the burglaries took place while the householders were asleep.

Yesterday, at 9am, officers were called by a household in Kingswood, after they found the front door of their home had been damaged, but it is not believed anything was taken.

Prior to this, officers were called to a report of a crashed car in Crews Hole Road, St George, at about 5.15am.

The BMW was found to have been stolen from an address in Downend. Thieves had broken into the property and stolen the car keys, taking the car, a laptop and a pushbike without rousing the household.

Just after 6.30am a household reported that their front door in St George had been forced. A watch and a wallet were stolen from the house along with the keys to a BMW and a Vauxhall Corsa, which were also taken.

At 6.50am officers were called to an address in Hanham, where another BMW had been stolen. Again thieves broke into the house and took the car keys and a handbag. House-to-house enquiries led officers to discover there had been an attempt to break into a second home nearby.

Just before 8am there was a call reporting a fourth BMW had been stolen from Keynsham. It’s unclear how this vehicle was stolen as the owner still has the keys. 

Policing inspector Steve Davey said: “Our investigations into these offences are in an early stage, and we will obviously keep an open mind as to whether there is any link between them.

“We would ask anyone with any information which they think could help to get in touch, quoting reference 5216222240.”

He added: “It’s important to lock up and set the alarm, if you have one, at night as well as when you go out. We’d also recommend hiding your keys and handbag or wallet safely out of sight, and never leaving your keys in the back of the door.

“If you hear a suspicious noise in the night please do check your property and call us straight away if you find any damage or see someone running away.”

Police have reminded residents to call 999 if a crime is underway or there is a suspect in the area, but to report other incidents, call 101, or report the crime online via http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact