Avon and Somerset Police are appealing for information from the public after a burglary at the home of an 89-year-old man in Southdown in Bath on Thursday 19th January.
It happened while the man was out, between 2pm and 5.45pm. The thieves broke a glass panel in a door and searched the house to take cash.
Officers have carried out house-to-house enquiries and made a forensic examination of the scene as well as giving home security advice to the householder.
As part of the investigation, officers are keen to trace the owner of a black hooded jacket, which was found in a neighbouring garden. It has a label ‘Gee Jay Company’.
PC 778 Gary Clark said: “I’d like to hear from anyone who recognises this jacket, if only to eliminate the owner from our investigation. Please get in touch if you have any information about the jacket or saw anything suspicious in the Southdown area last Thursday.
“We also want to hear from you straight away if you see someone acting suspiciously around your neighbourhood. Remember to ring 999 if there’s a crime underway; otherwise call 101 at any time.”
Anyone who can help can get in touch through the police website, www.avonandsomerset.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting reference 5217013742.
Alternatively ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.
Officers recommend:
- Keeping your money in the bank or building society rather than at home;
- Fitting motion sensing security lights around your property;
- Keeping tools locked up in a secure shed or garage;
- Making sure garden furniture and wheelie bins can’t be moved to gain access to upstairs windows;
- Locking up and setting the alarm, if you have one, at night as well as when you go out;
- Hiding your keys and handbag or wallet safely out of sight;
- Never leaving your keys in the back of the door or window;
- Keeping photographs and a description of items with sentimental value;
- Using a traceable asset marking liquid on items like jewellery or antiques;
- Using timer light switches to make it look like there’s someone home on dark evenings.
All these things add up to put a burglar off targeting your home – as does joining or setting up a Neighbourhood Watch.
There’s more home security advice on the police website: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.