A number of reports have been received from residents in Henleaze and Westbury-on-Trym reporting overnight vehicle interference - this typically involves males who will tour residential areas in the late 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.

We have now begun to give out “Defender Pouches” to car owners who have been victims of this type of crime. These pouches prevent criminals access your vehicle remotely.
Please always ensure that your vehicle is locked and fully secure when leaving it, with ALL property completely out of view or removed from the vehicle. If you have suspicions of any type of vehicle interference occurring in your area, please call us on 101 and let us know.
If you have ANY CCTV footage of vehicle interference occurring, please call us on 101 to report this so that we can view and where possible obtain this footage from you and identify the persons involved. It is imperative that any footage available be reported as soon as possible – intelligence from the public is of paramount importance to progress investigations in these matters.
IN THE EVENT OF SEEING VEHICLE CRIME TAKING PLACE (THIS INCLUDES PERSONS TRYING CAR DOOR HANDLES) AS IT HAPPENS, DIAL 999 IMMEDIATELY.

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 or garage alarms. The more difficult a potential burglary is made, the more likely a criminal will not commit it. Automated floodlights 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 information, see our crime prevention advice.

Police have increased their night-time patrols to discourage break-ins to outbuilding and also increase the likelihood of apprehending criminals in the act.

We are receiving a number of reports that shop theft is increasing within Henleaze High Street and Westbury-on-Trym. We have increased our high visibility foot patrols in the area, and have shared our contact details directly with business owners. Shops have been advised to call the police as thefts occur if possible and also report online. We are keen to work with retailers to further 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.

There has been a rise in the ownership and usage of illegal 'Sur-Ron' bikes in Westbury and Henleaze and surrounding areas. Riders are traveling without helmets, but covering their faces with balaclavas to prevent identification. The high speeds at which these individuals travels risk both injury to themselves and members of the public. The public are advised to contact 101 if they have any information regarding the e-bikes or the description/identity of the riders so as to enable us to remove them from the streets.