The South Glos Post

Police are warning trades people to be on the alert to thieves targeting vans in South Gloucestershire and Bristol and stealing either the vehicles or tools.

Officers say the thieves, often themselves in a white Ford Transit van, are targeting vehicles at building sites or parked at builders’ merchants and large hardware stores.

The thieves have been described as white men, sometimes wearing fluorescent tabards. They are able to break into a van and make off with tools within seconds.

There have been more than 30 reported incidents in the past month in the Ashley Down, Downend, Eastville, Filton, Patchway, Sea Mills, St George and Thornbury areas, most between 8am and 2pm.

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police

South Gloucestershire Council’s Conservative administration has given the green light to transport schemes designed to improve road safety and beat traffic congestion across the district.

As part of this financial year’s Local Transport Capital Programme, building work will start on the district’s first park and ride facility – a £1.2m scheme at Parkway station.

Already-announced changes to the controversial 2+ lane on the ring road will be completed in an effort to respond to Downend and Emersons Green councillors’ calls for radical action to ease congestion.

And further reducing the number of casualties, which are already at a record low, will be a central aim of this year’s transport programme with a number of road safety schemes planned.

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Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

Police are appealing for help identifying a man who approached a teenage girl near a school.

The incident happened at 8.10am on Friday 14 May in Bristol. The victim, a 14-year-old girl, was walking from the Badminton Road playing field along the lane towards the back of Downend School. She was approached by a man who grabbed her arms and told her not to be scared but the victim was able to kick the suspect and ran off towards the playing field.

The suspect is described as white, around 30-years-old, 5’10″ tall, big build and with very pale skin. He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up and black trousers.

Investigating the incident, DC Helen Holt said: “The victim reacted quickly and was able to get away but it was still a scary incident for her. Incidents such as this are rare and we have launched an investigation to identify the person responsible.”

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police

South Gloucestershire police are appealing for people living in Downend to check their property after five burglaries in the area on Friday February 19 2010.

The break-ins all happened between 7.30 and 9.30pm within half a mile of Badminton Road, Downend.

DC Jason Hulbert said: “The thieves were simply letting themselves in through unlocked front doors even though the householders were in. Three residents challenged them and they gave various excuses and made off empty-handed.

“I’d like to thank the householders who called us about these incidents. We recovered a laptop, a handbag and bank cards which had been stolen from two other homes without the residents realising until we contacted them on Friday night.

“If anyone else was visited by two women in the Downend area on Friday night they should contact Staple Hill Police Station on 0845 456 7000.”

South Gloucestershire officers responding to a report of a householder disturbing two women in their home arrested two women nearby within five minutes of the call.

Two women aged 18 and 24, both from Yate, are due to appear before Northavon Magistrates today, Monday February 22 2010, charged with five counts of burglary.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police