The above issue is a forcewide priority for Avon and Somerset Constabulary to make women feel safer walking, predominantly after dark, in their communities.

In recent weeks we have seen a marked increase in theft from trade vans of tools and in some cases, thefts of vans. Vans are being targeted and attacked by drilling of the locks on side sliding doors.

We are conducting patrols to identify and deter offenders, as well as providing reassurance to the public.

If you have a van, please remember to keep the doors closed and locked when unattended, even if you are nearby.  It doesn’t take long for a suspect to take your expensive power tools and disappear before you’ve noticed.

Register all of your van contents on the national database, www.immobilise.com.

Permanently mark your tools and equipment with your postcode and business name and house number.

Bolt secure cages or boxes inside your van to store tools.

Take your tools out of your van overnight (if you can, we realise this is difficult sometimes, at least consider taking out the higher value items).

Park with rear doors or sliding doors against a wall.

Take care when buying tools second-hand. It may be tempting to pick up a bargain, but if you buy stolen property - even in good faith - you'll lose out.

Patrols have been conducted of residential areas over the weekend as a deterrent and to catch potential offenders.

The Neighbourhood Team are focused on potential burglaries in the local area and prevention of such incidents.

Have you looked at your property with security in mind? Are there ways to help prevent burglary in your home? Find out about securing doors and windows and advice on what lights and alarms to install.

• Make sure the doors and frames are strong and are in good condition.
• Fit back and front doors with a five-lever mortice deadlock – and use it.
• Glass panels on or around the door are especially vulnerable, so replace them with laminated glass.
• Fit a letterbox cage to stop someone reaching inside to open your night latch lock.
• Check the door hinges are sturdy and secured with strong long screws. Consider using inexpensive hinge bolts to help reinforce the hinge side of a door against the use of force.

• Patio doors should have special locks fitted top and bottom unless they already have a multi-locking system.
• Patio windows which are made of aluminium are often the weakest type. Modern UPVC should come with multi-point locking systems as standard.

• Fit key-operated window locks to all downstairs windows and easily accessible upstairs windows. For example, those above a flat roof or by a drainpipe.
• Even small windows, such as skylights or bathroom fanlights, need locks – a thief can get through any gap larger than the human head.
• Remember to remove keys from locked windows and to keep them out of sight in a safe place.
• If you are replacing windows – consider laminated glass. This glass has a layer of vinyl between two sheets of glass making it difficult to break.
• As a last resort, consider fitting security grilles to vulnerable windows – many DIY shops now sell decorative wrought iron grilles.

Intruder alarms are an effective deterrent against burglars. They provide a useful warning and limit the risk of theft and damage to your property. Surveys have consistently shown that properties are less likely to be burgled if an alarm is fitted. Cold callers and telesales When investing in security systems for your home or business, ignore cold callers or telesales enquiries – you should avoid doing doorstep or telephone business. Many traders who call at your door are honest and genuine, however, some are not and can be extremely persuasive. Examples of bad practices associated with cold calling and doorstep selling include:

• pressure selling
• waiving your rights to a cooling-off period
• unclear contracts
• overpriced security systems
• unduly raising the fear of crime

External You should fit a security bulk headlight to the outside of your property at the front and back. These lights should also use low-energy light bulbs and have dusk-to-dawn sensors so they are on during the hours of darkness. Floodlights fitted with infra-red movement sensors can also be used as ‘courtesy lights’ for genuine visitors to your property. Internal Use time switches to turn on lights, radios and other appliances when you are out. This will help to give the impression that the property is occupied when nobody is at home.  Keys

Remember to keep vehicle and house keys out of view in your property. A significant amount of vehicle crime is committed when car keys are stolen during burglaries.

• Keep keys in a locked cupboard or cabinet or, at night, take them to bed with you. Making keys safe stops an opportunist burglar having instant access to a car during a break-in.
• Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place, such as under a doormat or in a flower pot – a thief will look there first.
• Ask a friend or trusted neighbour to hold keys for you instead. They may also be prepared to look after your home while you are on holiday, and you could do the same for them. This also helps you to get to know your neighbours, improving your security.
• If you have moved into a new house, consider changing the back and front door locks – other people may have keys which fit.

Patrols have been conducted across this weekend as a deterrent and to catch any potential offenders.

We have recently received reports of potential Rogue Callers/Traders in the Midsomer Norton and Radstock area. This is a Neighbourhood Team priority.

The following advice may help you to identify a bogus caller at your door and can help you take the right steps to ensure you and your property stay safe.

• Distraction burglars target vulnerable, often elderly people in their homes. Sometimes they pose as officials from utility companies or other organisations or make up stories to get into your home and steal from you. These criminals can be men, women or even children. Their appearance can be smart, casual or they may even wear tabards and have fake identification.
• Bogus ‘dealers’ may offer to buy your antiques, furniture or jewellery, at what seems to be a good price. Chances are they’re trying to trick you into selling something for a lot less than it is worth.
• Bogus ‘workmen’ and ‘so-called rogue traders’ may say they need to come in to make urgent repairs. Again, they really want to steal from your house. You also need to be careful of callers who offer to make building repairs or tarmac your drive. Often they will ask for money in advance; they may even offer to drive you to the bank to withdraw money to pay them.

What can you do?

• If you are not sure who is at your door, do not open it or let anyone into your home.
• Always put the chain on before you open the door. However, only put on your door chain as you answer the door – do not keep it on all the time as this could delay your exit in the case of fire.
• Check the identity of the caller by calling the company they claim to be from. Use the numbers listed in the phone book or on a bill. Do not use any phone numbers provided by the caller – they may be bogus.
• Genuine callers won’t mind making an appointment for a date when you can have someone with you. This gives you time to check their identity too. Remember, if the caller refuses to give details or does not show what you believe is a genuine ID card, do not let them in and call the police straight away on 999.
• Call a neighbour or friend nearby to come along and check out the visitor. Many service providers provide password schemes and it can be helpful to sign up to these. When unannounced callers knock at your door they should know the password if they are genuine.
• Keep doors locked and windows secure at all times.
• If somebody asks for your help, needs to make a phone call, claims to have lost a ball in your garden, needs a drink or pen and paper, don’t invite them into your house. If you really want to offer help, make them wait outside and while you’re away from your door, close and lock it. Remember: it is your doorstep, your decision.
• Never use companies who make unsolicited calls, don’t provide written contracts or who offer to do work for cash.
• Where possible, have a safety chain, intercom or video doorbell/viewer fitted and always attach the chain/use the intercom or viewer before opening the door to strangers.
• Check whether traders are members of the Local Authority Assured Trader scheme or the government Trust Mark scheme.

Ask for ID -  Genuine callers will normally make an appointment first and will carry identification with their photograph on it.

Know your rights - Traders must give you ‘Notice of Right to Cancel, which gives you a 14-day cooling off period before work starts, for any work over the value of £35.

‘No Cold Caller’ stickers and advice handed out to 50 households in Midsomer Norton as well as high visibility patrols in two roads experiencing cold callers.

It has been consistently reported to police that the anti-social use of vehicles in Withies Way in Midsomer Norton is causing public an issue. These vehicles may not be insured or taxed. The neighbourhood team will be  paying extra attention to the area to assist in resolving.

Offenders have been identified and orders have been issued to them regarding vehicle and ASB offences.