We are receiving a number of reports that shop theft is increasing within Henleaze High Street and Westbury-on-Trym. We are carrying out high visibility patrols in these locations and would advise shops or customers who witness these thefts to call police as they occur if possible. We are keen to work with retailers to combat this and would encourage these stores to also report these incidents to their head offices/loss prevention teams - methods such as civil recovery is just one option for recovering losses of stock from offenders.

WE ARE AWARE OF TWO MALES CIRCULATING THE HENLEAZE & WESTBURY-ON-TRYM AREAS AMONGST NEIGHBOURING AREAS IN NORTH BRISTOL, KNOCKING ON RESIDENT'S DOORS ASKING FOR MONEY, FOOD, TO USE WASH FACILITIES OR OFFERING THEIR SERVICES FOR ANY WORK FOR MONEY 'ODD JOBS' THEY CAN UNDERTAKE - PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU SEE OR EXPERIENCE THIS ACTIVITY TAKING PLACE - WE WOULD ADVISE RESIDENTS, IF YOU ARE NOT EXPECTING VISITORS TO SIMPLY NOT ENGAGE WITH THESE PERSONS AND WHERE POSSIBLE IGNORE THEIR DOOR KNOCKS.

Please contact police when you see or experience this activity so that we may trace their whereabouts to establish what they are doing and if necessary, stop them from doing this and ensure they leave the area.

Please call the Police on 101 if anyone comes to your door and sells to you. We can check that they are authentic and have the right licence to operate.
Information from the public about this activity is always welcomed so that we may know where these unlicensed traders are operating and can put suitable advice out to residents who may otherwise be susceptible to buying items from them.

A number of reports have been received from residents in Henleaze and Westbury-on-Trym reporting overnight vehicle interference - this typically involves two males who will tour residential areas in the late at night/early hours of the morning trying to open car door handles to see if the vehicles have been left insecure. We believe they are trying to find anything of value within the vehicle to steal.

If you find that this has happened to you, please contact 101 in all instances and please let us know if you have CCTV footage of any activity of this kind.

If you notice anyone acting in a suspicious manner or see anyone trying car door handles, PLEASE CALL 999 IMMDEDIATELY and try to get a description of them, the vehicle registration if applicable and their direction of travel (going up or down the road) and a photo on your mobile phone if given the opportunity and not placing yourself at risk.

Intelligence led overt and covert mobile patrols are being conducted in around the Henleaze and Westbury On Trym areas with the objective of apprehending the person/s responsible, and being better placed to respond more effectively to any reports of an incident in progress.

Whilst there seems to be less reports about this issue of late, we are keen to continue to encourage residents to ensure that their vehicle is locked and secured at all times and that all valuables are removed from sight.
Please also contact us with any CCTV footage that you may have showing suspicious activity in regards to persons undertaking vehicle interference (trying car door handles etc.) whether they manage to gain entry or not. This could be VITAL in helping us identify offenders.
 
 

There has been a recent spike in non-dwelling burglaries in the area. Specifically, sheds and garages are being targeted and criminals are targeting high value bicycles, especially electric bikes.

Please ensure that any outbuildings, sheds and garages are kept secure at ALL times when not attended.

We also HIGHLY recommend shed/garage alarms. The more difficult a potential burglary is made, the more likely a criminal will not commit it. Automated flood lights are also an excellent deterrent for home security as well as CCTV that may capture images of perpetrators.

Criminals are going equipped to break through chains and locks which secure garages and bicycles – please consider the location you are keeping your bike and if it has enough security measures protecting it. Ideally high value items such as electric bikes are safest being kept inside your main property, we appreciate this is not always practical.

If you require any advice about home security, please do contact the team who will be happy to assess your property and advise of any steps.

For more crime prevention advice, please follow this link:

https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/crime-prevention-advice/protecting-your-home-and-property/