POLICE are thanking residents in Yate and Bradley Stoke for their assistance following two attempted burglaries on Tuesday.

Officers were called to a house off Gravel Hill Road in Yate at 6.20pm following a resident reporting seeing two men make off from a neighbour’s property after hearing a burglar alarm.

The caller said the men had jumped over the wall and made off onto Gravel Hill Road.

Officers attended and carried out an area search with no trace of the suspects. It’s thought the offenders were disturbed by the alarm sounding and again nothing was stolen.

Earlier that evening, at around 5.40pm, a woman was walking back to her home on Wheatfield Drive in Bradley Stoke when she realised people were in her home. She immediately went to a neighbour who called police.

Three men made off from the house, empty-handed, and escaped through neighbouring gardens, with other residents coming forward to say the men made off in a dark-coloured Ford Focus.

Two of the men were described as 6ft-tall and slim, both with their faces covered, with one wearing a grey hoody.

The third man has been described as around 5ft 4ins and of a stockier build, again in a grey hoody with his face covered.

Attending officers found that in each case the would-be thieves had broken in through a rear door. House-to-house enquiries have been made and there has been a forensic examination of the properties.

Investigating officer Dai Nicholas said: “It’s great to see people looking out for their neighbours in this way and I’d like to thank everyone involved.

“Having communities where residents actively support one another does deter criminals, as we see with Neighbourhood Watch.

“We’re investigating both these incidents and I would ask anyone with any information which could help to get in touch.

Officers have asked for anyone who might be able to assist in inquiries to contact them through their website www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact, or by calling 101, quoting reference 5216259804.

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