Bedfordshire Police is urging residents to stay alert following a series of burglaries in Bedford on Saturday, 18 October.
They’ve also issued advice as darker evenings return ahead of the clocks going back this weekend on Sunday, 26 October.
Officers were called three times between 8pm and 8.45pm to reports of suspicious activity involving four men in a dark-coloured estate car in the Brickhill area.
The group is believed to have targeted homes on Constable Hill, Eagle Gardens and Lely Close. A fourth property, on Ryswick Road in Kempston, is also thought to have been broken into by the same offenders earlier that evening.
The burglars entered all four properties, stealing a range of items including jewellery and electronic devices.
Detective constable Kevin Howes, from Bedfordshire Police’s dedicated Operation Maze burglary team, said: “We believe that, given the time of day these incidents occurred, members of the public may have witnessed these men or their vehicle.
“If you saw anything or have doorbell or dashcam footage from the area that captured any suspicious persons or vehicles, then please get in contact.”
Anyone with information is asked to report online at www.beds.police.uk/ro/report or call 101 quoting reference 40/60179/25.
Police advice as darker evenings begin
With the clocks going back this weekend (26 October), Bedfordshire Police is reminding residents to take extra precautions to protect their homes from opportunistic thieves.
Officers recommend:
- Keeping doors locked and double locked where possible
- Closing and securing all windows
- Keeping keys, wallets and valuables out of sight and away from letterboxes
- Leaving a light or radio on if you are out after dark
- Using smart lights or timers to give the impression someone is home
- Photographing, logging and marking property with security ink such as SmartWater
- Locking gates, sheds and outbuildings with quality deadlocks
- Setting your burglar alarm if you have one
- Installing smart doorbells, cameras and solar lights for extra security
- Storing car keys in a Faraday pouch to prevent keyless theft
Further crime prevention advice is available at beds.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention.
