Police are appealing for witnesses after three men used hammers to smash their way into a Stoke Gifford pensioner’s home and steal a large amount of cash.

The incident, in the Elizabeth Crescent area, happened on Wednesday 20th February at about 6.50pm.

The victim, a man in his seventies, had been saving up the cash as a charity donation.

During the burglary, the man was pushed back into his chair several times when he tried to get up.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said:

“The men are described as white, with two that looked like they were in their twenties and one who looked older, possibly in his thirties.”

Anyone with information that they think could help is asked to make contact by phoning 101, quoting reference number 5219038281 and asking to speak with PC 4758 Allen.

Source: News item from Avon and Somerset Police.

Editor’s note: We asked why nearly two weeks had passed before this witness appeal was issued. A spokesperson explained that, in general, the decision to make a public appeal is led by the investigating officer, who may choose to follow up existing leads first.

The spokesperson added: “Sometimes an early press appeal may compromise the investigation in some way.”

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Police are urging people to be alert and check on vulnerable elderly relatives and friends after a spate of distraction burglaries at senior citizens’ homes in the past week, including one in Little Stoke.

On Tuesday 18th December, between 7pm and 7.15pm, a man claiming to be a police officer called on a 92-year-old man in Kingsway, Little Stoke. He kept the householder talking, claiming there had been a burglary, while a second suspect got in through a back door and stole cash. The caller was described as a white man in his 30s, about 5ft 6ins tall, wearing a smart jacket and with his face partially covered. The second suspect wasn’t seen.

Similar incidents were reported on Tuesday in Brentry (where a 90-year-old woman was the victim) and Hillfields (targeting a 94-year-old woman).

Two further incidents were reported on Wednesday (19th December), one in Henleaze (where a 91-year-old woman was the victim) and the second in Bath (targeting a 71-year-old woman).

Full details of the other five incidents are available on the Avon and Somerset Police website.

Detective Sergeant Laura Miller said:

“Any genuine police officer will expect to show you identification and to wait while you call 101 to verify it, if you’re unsure. We’ve carried out house-to-house enquiries and issued an alert through Neighbourhood Watch. This sort of doorstep crime is quite rare. However it can be very distressing for vulnerable older people and we’re targeting our patrols in the area to provide reassurance.”

“Please make your family or friends aware of these incidents and talk to them about the simple steps they can take to deter these criminals. If you see someone acting suspiciously at a neighbour’s property, call us straight away. Ring 999 if a crime is being committed, otherwise call 101.”

If you have any information which could help the police investigation, get in touch through www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact, or by calling 101, quoting reference number 5218279290.

More: Doorstep crime prevention tips »

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Parish councillors in Stoke Gifford have raised concerns over policing levels after it emerged that the local beat team currently has just one member of staff on active duty.

A meeting of the Community Engagement Forum in March was told by Chief Inspector Mark Evans that beat manager PC Julie Rudyard was currently the sole officer covering Stoke Gifford because one of the two PCSOs assigned to the beat was on maternity leave and the other was unavailable.

The matter surfaced again at a parish council meeting in April, when Cllr Keith Cranney raised concerns about “the lack of police resources in the Stoke Gifford police beat team”. The parish clerk was requested to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Avon and Somerset, Sue Mountstevens, “about the force’s future commitment to neighbourhood policing in the local area”.

In his letter to the PCC, the clerk wrote:

“There have been numerous staffing changes over a number of years, leading to instability amongst the neighbourhood team, with councillors questioning the commitment to neighbourhood policing in the immediate area.”

“At the time of writing we are grateful for the support offered by our beat manager, Julie Rudyard, who is seen by the council as an excellent police officer for the local community.”

“I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss these concerns in more detail.”

More: Response from Sue Mountstevens, Police and Crime Commissioner

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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.

More: Further jewellery burglaries in Bradley Stoke & Charlton Hayes »

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